I am forwarding this report to econ-soc-devt due to the rapidly growing use
of community
currencies in the majority world. These seem likely to have an increasing
relevance in providing a
mechanism for enabling developing countries and regions to influence their
own 
regional development policies,  instead of having these dictated by the
demands of 
global markets, multinational corporations, and institutional agencies of
these such as the 
World Bank and WTO etc. 

My far from perfect understanding of French and very limited understanding
of Spanish 
suggests  Stephen DeMeulenaere [log in to unmask]  is offering translations
of his report
in these languages.

Richard Kay
[log in to unmask]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Stephen DeMeulenaere [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Tuesday, December 12, 2000 6:02 AM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Community Currency Systems (CCS):  International Progress
> Report  12/00
> 
> Si le gustara este informe en español, por favor conteste con su demanda.
> Si vous aimeriez ce rapport en Francais, s'il vous plaît répondez avec
> votre demande.
> 
> 
>                                    Community Currency Systems (CCS)
>                                         International Progess Report
>                                                 December, 2000
> 
>       Sometime over the last three years, I have either been in direct
> contact
> with you, or I have received your email from my colleagues as someone who
> is interested in Community-Based Currency Systems (CCS).  You may be
> familiar with related programs such as LETS, WIR, JAK, RGT, or with
> programs on social/economic exclusion, rural economic development,
> alternative agriculture, fair trade, women and development, microcredit,
> and other community-based social and economic development initiatives.
> Community Currency Systems are one part of this effort to deal with the
> effects of globalization at the community level.
> 
>       My purpose in writing to you is to reconnect with you if I have
> neglected
> to do so, to inform you about this program if you have not already heard
> about it, and to bring you up to date on developments during the past
> year.
> 
>       I include information from Latin America, Asia and Africa.  I am
> pleased
> to report that this program continues to develop and spread.  There are
> now
> Community Currency Systems operating in 16 countries in the Global South,
> and in approximately 35 countries worldwide.
> 
>       For detailed information on the programs mentioned below, and to
> contact
> the coordinators of these programs directly, please see the website
> dedicated to this program at http://ccdev.lets.net.
> 
> Kind Regards and Greetings from Indonesia,
> 
> Stephen DeMeulenaere
> 
> - Advocate of international CCS development (since 1996)
> - Member of REDLASES (Latin American Socio-Economic Solidarity Network)
> - Alternative Economic Advisor, YAPPIKA, Indonesia
> 
> 
> Progress Report, 2000
> 
> Latin America
> 
> Latin American Socio-Economic Solidary Network (REDLASES):
>       This network, founded in Buenos Aires last December, proceeds with
> discussion & consultation support provided throughout Latin America.
> http://redlases.org.ar
> 
> Argentina:  
>       I recently received a report from Horacio Covas, one of the leaders
> of the
> Global Exchange Network (Red Global de Trueque (RGT)) that their network
> has surpassed 500,000 members in 500 systems nationwide in 6 years.  They
> are considering some changes to their internal monetary system in 2001 to
> improve servicing to members and function of the system.
> http://www.truequeclub.com
> 
> Uruguay:
>       The Global Exchange Network continues to expand in Uruguay.
> 
> Chile:
>       The first Global Exchange Network systems in Chile have been started
> in
> Santiago this year.
> 
> Brazil:
>       A major conference on 'Work and Economic Solidarity:  Political
> Strategies
> for Involvement' recently took place in Sao Paulo.  Community Currency
> Systems programs continue, some with provincial government support.  There
> is some talk of a hybrid microcredit/community currency program.
> 
> Mexico, El Salvador, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela:
>       Community Currency Systems projects continue to progress in these
> countries.
> 
> 
> Asia:
> 
> Thailand:
>       The Thailand Community Currency Systems (TCCS) program continues in
> the
> villages of Kud Chum, eastern Thailand.  The system was launched in the
> spring of this year, after more than a year of planning and fieldwork.
> 
> Indonesia:
>       The Indonesia Community Currency Systems (ICCS) program of YAPPIKA
> began
> in June of this year.  A research program with the Regional Central Credit
> Union in Yogyakarta, central Java, will begin in January.  Workshops for
> South Sulawesi and elsewhere are being planned.
> 
> Japan:
>       Due to several books on CCS being published in Japanese, in addition
> to
> the support of some government officials and academics, CCS programs are
> developing well.
> 
> 
> Africa:
> 
> Senegal:
>       Although recent activities have not been reported, secondhand
> information
> reports that the 15 systems in Senegal continue to function well.
> 
> South Africa:
>       The South African New Economics Foundation is supporting Community
> Currency System developments there, which are in the early planning
> stages.
>  Implementation is set for 2001.
> 
> 
> Community Currencies in Asia, Africa & Latin America Website:
> 
>       The http://ccdev.lets.net website continues to receive between 15
> and 35
> visits per day, from a total of 90 countries.  The site is regularly
> checked and updated.
> 
> 
> Conclusions
> 
>       In the last few years, Community Currency Systems (CCS) have been
> spreading quickly throughout the Global South.  Six years ago, there were
> two countries with CCS programs in the Global South:  Mexico and
> Argentina.
>  The last three years has seen CCS programs started in 14 more countries,
> along with government recognition of traditional currency in Papua New
> Guinea, for a total of 17 countries.  A number of multi-lateral
> development
> agencies have become involved, providing professional support and in some
> cases funding to these programs.
> 
>       However, these programs are still quite new and few people know
> about it.
> Those of us working with these programs would like to improve our
> connection with larger international bodies and seek an audience or
> network
> for presenting our concept and work, and we hope to disseminate
> information
> about our emerging field to those who are willing to discuss and explore
> with us.
> 
>       If you are interested in this program, we welcome your involvement
> and
> support.  Please feel free to share this message with others who may be
> interested.
> 
> kind regards,
> 
> Stephen DeMeulenaere
> 
> 
> Alternative Economic Advisor,
> Community-Based Socio-Economic Development,
> Indonesia Community Currency Systems (ICCS) Program
> 
> YAPPIKA--Yayasan Penguatan Partisipasi, Initiatif dan Kemitraan Masyarakat
> (Institute for Strengthening Community Participation, Initiative and
> Partnership)
> Jl. Pedati Raya No. 20, Rt 007/09, Jakarta Timur 13350, Indonesia
> Ph:  (021) 819-1623     Fax:  850-0670
> email:  [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask]