Reclaim the Economy Week: Viewpoints
Section titled “Reclaim the Economy Week: Viewpoints”During this global week of action, several key themes have emerged that resonate deeply with our mission of bridging worlds and integrating missional life with the digital economy. Here is a summary of the most impactful discussions:
1. Degrowth in Rural Contexts
Section titled “1. Degrowth in Rural Contexts”There is a growing conversation about how "degrowth" doesn't mean "no growth" for impoverished areas, but rather a shift away from extractive, export-only models toward local resilience. In rural communities, this means focusing on agroecology and local knowledge production rather than becoming dependent on global supply chains that may fail.
2. From Assistentialism to Empowerment
Section titled “2. From Assistentialism to Empowerment”A major topic this week has been the critique of "paternalistic hand-outs" (assistentialism). Discussions have focused on how charity often masks systemic extraction. The consensus is moving toward models where communities own their economic resources and narratives—what we call "Knowledge Weaving."
3. Wellbeing Economies vs. GDP
Section titled “3. Wellbeing Economies vs. GDP”The global movement is pushing for success to be measured by the health and wellbeing of citizens rather than just GDP. For our mission, this translates to valuing "Human Capital" and "Social Capital" as much as financial capital.
4. Village Knowledge Hubs as Resilience Centers
Section titled “4. Village Knowledge Hubs as Resilience Centers”A recurring theme in our local discussions is the role of technology as a "lever." By establishing Village Knowledge Hubs, communities can participate in the global knowledge economy on their own terms, preserving their culture while accessing new income streams.
5. Indigenous Economics
Section titled “5. Indigenous Economics”We are seeing a strong emphasis on Indigenous and rights-based economics. These models prioritize ecological wellbeing and life-centric values, which aligns with our framework for "The Foundation of Necessity" and "The Impact" of missional work.
Join the Conversation
Section titled “Join the Conversation”Are you seeing these themes in your own work? How can we better "reclaim" our local economies from systems that prioritize profit over people?