On October 30-31, 2023, the members, Regional Coordinator, Executive Director, and leaders of HomeNet Southeast Asia (HNSEA) participated in the Movement for Alternatives and Solidarity in Southeast Asia (MASSA) conference with the theme “Advancing Alternative Regionalism from Below: People and Planet First.” The conference took place at the University Hotel, University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines. Over the course of two days, HNSEA representatives shared insights on informal workers’ rights and protections, formalisation concepts, just transition, and their advocacy experiences at the regional level, particularly within ASEAN.
Following this, on November 20-23, 2023, HNSEA organised a training and study trip focused on the Social Solidarity Economy (SSE). The event received support from three key organisations: the Quezon City Municipality, recognized as the first SSE City in the region; the Baguio City Municipality, known for its IT sector and tourism industry; and the Asian Solidarity Economy Council (ASEC), a network of SSE initiatives in Southeast Asia. The SSE Training aimed to empower HNSEA’s home-based worker leaders with knowledge, values, and skills to implement alternative business models that benefit marginalised communities.
Simultaneously, during the SSE training, HNSEA also participated in a regional trade fair at Farmers’ Plaza in Quezon City from November 20-23, 2023. The fair showcased products from six HNSEA country members, including handloom products from Indonesia, Laos, and Thailand, traditional clothing from Vietnam, rattan baskets, Pinangga, handcrafted boxes, and various food products from the Philippines. The fair kicked off with a fashion show featuring the producers themselves as models, highlighting the creativity, craftsmanship, and confidence of HNSEA’s home-based workers.
