Formal Launch of the Caring Economy Campaign in Washington, D.C.

The Caring Economy Campaign (CEC) was formally launched at a reception at the renowned Finnish Embassy (the first “green” embassy in DC) on May 23rd. The reception, sponsored by the Center for Partnership Studies, was co-sponsored by the National Council of Women’s Organizations, the Center for Economic and Policy Research, Gender Action, Digital Sisters, the National Association of Mothers Centers, and Family Values at Work. These co-sponsoring organizations are also founding members of the CEC coalition, which includes diverse organizations representing mothers, socially responsible businesses, environmental organizations, labor, nurses, think tanks, faith based activists, teachers, human rights advocates, and others. Attending the reception were over one hundred representatives of allied organizations as well as media people.

The reception featured welcoming remarks from Finnish Ambassador Ritva Koukku-Ronde and a presentation by Riane Eisler, President of the Center for Partnership Studies, focusing on the economic value of investments in human infrastructure. “When you look at countries like Finland,” said Dr. Eisler, “whose people have withstood recent economic challenges with remarkable strength, we see that these economies are fueled—and protected—by policies that focus heavily on building human rather than just financial capital.” Both Eisler and Koukku-Ronde highlighted the connection between a higher status of women and policies that adequately invest in caring for people, starting in childhood (In Finland, for example, women are 43 percent of the national legislature).

Also attending the reception were CPS Board members Shireen Mitchell and Bill Levis, Treasurer, Advisory Council members Nancy Folbre, Terry O’Neill, Valerie Young, Elaine Zuckerman, and Sara Melendez (who also gave a rousing speech), as well as one hundred representatives of allied organizations and media people.

The discussion focused on goals of the Caring Economy Campaign and featured its video, offering strategies for reframing the conversation about economics and more caring businesses and public policies based on Social Wealth Indicators.