Economia solidária em Portugal: inspirações cartográficas

Abstract

We live in an imperative of victory at any price over others. Others have become adversaries, competitors... enemies! Each one has to make it, get along, and no one else matters. It is rare to see stimuli for collective mobilization, for ways of managing life and organizations that encourage values such as cooperation, solidarity, and egalitarianism. Until 2004, I had never heard of Solidarity Economy, associativism, or even self-management. I lived in Lisbon and in the Azores. I walked along streets and avenues, talked to university professors, civil servants of different ranks and workers from different non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as well as 'anonymous' people. It was fundamental to meet people who, together, fight for other ways of life based on attitudes that are more loving and life-oriented than those that are dominant today.