On February 18, Red Comparte held its first Assembly of the year, bringing together 32 participants from eight countries across Latin America, the United States, Canada, and Spain. Among them were representatives from social centers and allied entities such as universities and foundations. This meeting reaffirmed the Network’s commitment to building sustainable economic alternatives in territories affected by multiple crises.
The session began with an inspiring message from the Network coordinator and the socio-environmental delegate of CPAL, who encouraged us to maintain hope and a sense of humor during these uncertain times. To set the tone for reflection and collaboration, we listened to the song Vivir con valor, marking the beginning of the event.
Key Achievements of the 2024 Operational Plan and Outlook for 2025
During the first part of the Assembly, key achievements of the 2024 Operational Plan were shared, including:
- Strengthening the organizational structure and collective identity.
- Promoting gender equity initiatives.
- Advancing solidarity economic circuits and participatory guarantee systems.
- Implementing the Socio-Environmental Audit System.
Additionally, the 2025 Operational Plan was presented, aligned with the seven strategic changes that will guide us through 2027 (PE Comparte 24/27).
Dialogue on the Network’s Organizational System and Creation of Subcommittees
In the second part of the meeting, the Comparte Organizational System document was shared, providing a valuable space for reflection and group discussion. Overall, participants validated the current organizational structure while highlighting the need to enhance the visibility of producer organizations and encourage their active participation in the Network’s decision-making processes.
To advance this process, four subcommittees were established, inviting social centers to participate:
- Organizational structure.
- Composition and functioning of working groups.
- Composition and functioning of the Facilitating Team.
- Coordination with other stakeholders.
In the next Assembly, scheduled for July, selection procedures, term durations, and renewal processes for different roles will be presented, along with mechanisms for coordination among the Network’s various bodies.
Change in the Executive Secretariat of Comparte
One of the most significant announcements of the meeting was the transition in the Executive Secretariat of the Network. Claudia Ruiz from ASERJUS (Guatemala) will take on this role, replacing Álvaro Idarraga, to whom we express our deep gratitude for his leadership and commitment to the Network.
New Initiatives and Upcoming Events
Finally, social centers were invited to participate in:
- The SASA Community of Practice, a space to share experiences and develop a common understanding of SASA indicators and collective processes.
The online informational session on March 4 regarding the collective development process of the Comparte Network’s Common Gender Framework, led by the Network’s Gender Working Group in collaboration with LAINES from Ibero-American University of Puebla (Mexico). - The Assembly concluded with a moment of inspiration, guided by the symbolism of the Andean spiral and the song El churo de la vida, reminding us of the deep meaning behind our collective journey.
We continue moving forward together toward a horizon of greater social and environmental justice!
For more information, visit our website: www.redcomparte.org