Social and Solidarity Economy for Sustainable Development in Malaysia: Concepts, Contexts and Case Studies

Contents

Abstract … xvi

I. Introduction … 1

1.1 Concepts of Social and Solidarity Economy

and Sustainable Development … 4 Understanding social and solidarity

economy (SSE) … 4

The link with sustainable development

…12

II. The Malaysian Context … 18

2.1 Sustainable Development in Malaysia … 18

2.2 The Malaysian SSE Landscape …21

Cooperatives … 22

Social enterprises and social businesses

…27

Civil society organisations with economic

activities … 30

Mutual benefit societies … 34

Other forces for inclusive growth … 36 Corporate Social Responsibility … 37 Islamic finance …39

Advocacy on business and human rights

…41

2.3 Characteristics of the Malaysian SSE … 43

III. Case Studies within the Malaysian SSE … 49

3.1 Introduction … 49

3.2 The Cases … 50

Community recycling: Taiwan Buddhist Tzu-Chi Foundation Malaysia … 50

Educating and financing the poor: Credit Union Promotion Club … 55

xiii

Environmental consultancy: Wild Asia … 62

Spearheading organic farming: Koperasi Belia Islam … 66

3.3 Discussion … 72

Fulfilling the triple bottom line … 72 Underlying philosophies … 75 Challenges faced … 77

IV. Conclusion … 80 References … 83 About the Author … 91 About KITA … 92