Complementary Currencies for Sustainable Development (Japan) - Theories and Practices - Miguel...

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Complementary currencies for Complementary currencies for sustainable development sustainable development - - theories and practices theories and practices Miguel Miguel Yasuyuki Hirota Yasuyuki Hirota [email protected] [email protected] http://mig76en.wordpress.com/ http://mig76en.wordpress.com/ http://www.olccjp.net/ http://www.olccjp.net/ June 2008 June 2008

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Complementary Currencies for Sustainable Development (Japan) - Theories and Practices - Miguel Yasuyuki Hirota

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Page 1: Complementary Currencies for Sustainable Development (Japan) - Theories and Practices - Miguel Yasuyuki Hirota

Complementary currencies for Complementary currencies for

sustainable developmentsustainable development

-- theories and practices theories and practices ––

““MiguelMiguel”” Yasuyuki HirotaYasuyuki Hirota

[email protected]@olccjp.net

http://mig76en.wordpress.com/http://mig76en.wordpress.com/

http://www.olccjp.net/ http://www.olccjp.net/

June 2008June 2008

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TodayToday’’s topics topic

�� Why is todayWhy is today’’s socioeconomic system s socioeconomic system

unsustainable and unfair?unsustainable and unfair?

�� Required features for our monetary Required features for our monetary

system to promote the sustainable and system to promote the sustainable and

fair developmentfair development

�� Experiences in the worldExperiences in the world

�� Conclusion / QuestionsConclusion / Questions

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TodayToday’’s topics topic

�� Why is todayWhy is today’’s socioeconomic system s socioeconomic system

unsustainable and unfair?unsustainable and unfair?

�� Required features for our monetary Required features for our monetary

system to promote the sustainable and system to promote the sustainable and

fair developmentfair development

�� Experiences in the worldExperiences in the world

�� Conclusion / QuestionsConclusion / Questions

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Why is todayWhy is today’’s socioeconomic s socioeconomic

system unsustainable and unfair?system unsustainable and unfair?�� Issued only by the central bank when asked by commercial banks:Issued only by the central bank when asked by commercial banks: no no

community, region or even country can selfcommunity, region or even country can self--regulate their means of regulate their means of exchangeexchange > > Mexico (1994) Asia (1997) Russia (1998) Argentina Mexico (1994) Asia (1997) Russia (1998) Argentina (2001)(2001)……

�� Ex: Ex: The Bank of JapanThe Bank of Japan, free from any political intervention, , free from any political intervention, can can implement whatever policy they like without being questioned implement whatever policy they like without being questioned (R. (R. Werner, Werner, ““The Princes of YenThe Princes of Yen””, 2003), 2003)

�� Enriches only the rich at the cost of the poor:Enriches only the rich at the cost of the poor: unfair redistribution of unfair redistribution of wealth for most of the population by way of interest / impoveriswealth for most of the population by way of interest / impoverishment hment of the middleof the middle--class once the national economy stops growingclass once the national economy stops growing

�� Difficulty for longDifficulty for long--term sustainable projects (such as environment, term sustainable projects (such as environment, education) to be invested:education) to be invested: only shortonly short--term businesses prosper at the term businesses prosper at the cost of human resources and our ecosystem (natural and social cost of human resources and our ecosystem (natural and social capital, so to say)capital, so to say)

�� US$ backed by oil as standard:US$ backed by oil as standard: favourable for US, economic collapse favourable for US, economic collapse when the oil runs outwhen the oil runs out

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Even George Soros admitsEven George Soros admits

�� ““International trade and global financial International trade and global financial

markets are very good at generating markets are very good at generating

wealth, wealth, but they cannot take care of other but they cannot take care of other

social needssocial needs, such as the preservation of , such as the preservation of

peace, alleviation of poverty, protection of peace, alleviation of poverty, protection of

the environment, labor conditions, or the environment, labor conditions, or

human rights human rights –– what are generally called what are generally called

‘‘public goodspublic goods’”’” (George Soros, (George Soros, ““On On

GlobalizationGlobalization””, 2003), 2003)

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Should national economies Should national economies

grow forever?grow forever?�� A: growth of all natural A: growth of all natural

beingsbeings

�� C: growth of cancer and C: growth of cancer and what the current what the current monetary system monetary system demandsdemands

�� Our current economic Our current economic system is destined to eat system is destined to eat up all the natural up all the natural resources of this precious resources of this precious planetplanet

�� Source: Kennedy (cf. next Source: Kennedy (cf. next slide)slide)

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Redistribution of wealth in favour Redistribution of wealth in favour

of the richof the rich�� Most peopleMost people’’s income s income

shrinks in todayshrinks in today’’s s monetary system while a monetary system while a small number of rich gets small number of rich gets even wealthiereven wealthier

�� Source: Source: ““Inflation and Inflation and interestinterest--free moneyfree money””(Margrit Kennedy, (Margrit Kennedy, http://userpage.fuhttp://userpage.fu--berlin.de/~roehrigw/kennberlin.de/~roehrigw/kennedy/english/edy/english/ ))

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TodayToday’’s financial system in s financial system in

favour of shortfavour of short--time investmentstime investments

�� Source: Source: http://www.stefanhttp://www.stefan--brunnhuber.de/brunnhuber.de/

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TodayToday’’s topics topic

�� Why is todayWhy is today’’s socioeconomic system s socioeconomic system

unsustainable and unfair?unsustainable and unfair?

�� Required features for our monetary Required features for our monetary

system to promote the sustainable and system to promote the sustainable and

fair developmentfair development

�� Experiences in the worldExperiences in the world

�� Conclusion / QuestionsConclusion / Questions

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What is money?What is money?

�� Everybody know what we can with money, but Everybody know what we can with money, but nobody knows what money is.nobody knows what money is.

�� ””The agreement within a community to use The agreement within a community to use something as a means of exchangesomething as a means of exchange”” (Bernard (Bernard Lietaer, Lietaer, ““The Future of MoneyThe Future of Money””))

�� Agreement = Agreement = RuleRule

�� So we can change our money system and/or So we can change our money system and/or have parallel systems if we arenhave parallel systems if we aren’’t happy with t happy with the conventional onethe conventional one

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Required features for sustainable Required features for sustainable

and fair Yin currenciesand fair Yin currencies�� Sustainable development is development that meets Sustainable development is development that meets

the needs of the present without compromising the the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. ability of future generations to meet their own needs. (Brundlandt Report, UN, 1986)(Brundlandt Report, UN, 1986)

�� Promotion of natural energyPromotion of natural energy (solar, windmills, (solar, windmills, geothermal, biomassgeothermal, biomass……) and other eco) and other eco--friendly and/or friendly and/or social projects (reforestation, irrigation, education, social projects (reforestation, irrigation, education, healthcarehealthcare……))

�� DemocraticallyDemocratically--managedmanaged by its users to prevent by its users to prevent financial meltdown by outer agents and to promote the financial meltdown by outer agents and to promote the fair distribution of wealthfair distribution of wealth

�� Stimulate the Stimulate the growth of growth of ““third sectorthird sector”” (social economy),(social economy),balancing Yin and Yang in our societybalancing Yin and Yang in our society

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Yin and Yang coherencesYin and Yang coherencesConv. MoneyConv. Money CCSsCCSs

Competition

Having, Doing

Peak Experience

Logic, Linear

Technology dominates

Bigger is better, Expansion

Hierarchy works best

Central Authority

Transcendent God

CooperationCooperation

BeingBeing

EnduranceEndurance--sustainability sustainability

Paradoxical, NonParadoxical, Non--linearlinear

Interpersonal Skills DominateInterpersonal Skills Dominate

Small is BeautifulSmall is Beautiful

Egalitarian Works BestEgalitarian Works Best

Mutual Trust Mutual Trust

Immanent DivinityImmanent Divinity

Male principlesMale principles Female principlesFemale principles

Yang coherenceYang coherence Yin coherenceYin coherence

�� Source: Source: ““The Future of MoneyThe Future of Money””(Bernard Lietaer, (Bernard Lietaer, Century,2001)Century,2001)

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TodayToday’’s topics topic

�� Why is todayWhy is today’’s socioeconomic system s socioeconomic system

unsustainable and unfair?unsustainable and unfair?

�� Required features for our monetary Required features for our monetary

system to promote the sustainable and system to promote the sustainable and

fair developmentfair development

�� Experiences in the worldExperiences in the world

�� Conclusion / QuestionsConclusion / Questions

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Traditional experiences Traditional experiences

in the world (in the world (–– cir. 1995)cir. 1995)�� LETS (Canada, Europe, NZ etc.): LETS (Canada, Europe, NZ etc.): members trade in members trade in

their own point system based on mutual trusttheir own point system based on mutual trust�� Time Dollar / Time Bank (US, UK etc.): Time Dollar / Time Bank (US, UK etc.): members help members help

each other by providing daily serviceseach other by providing daily services�� Fureai Kippu (Japan): Fureai Kippu (Japan): a group of grassa group of grass--root initiatives root initiatives

to deposit hours of voluntary services to be withdrawn to deposit hours of voluntary services to be withdrawn when neededwhen needed

�� WIR Bank (Switzerland): WIR Bank (Switzerland): founded in 1934 to boost founded in 1934 to boost small corporations, realising more than 1 billion Swiss small corporations, realising more than 1 billion Swiss Francs of trades per annumFrancs of trades per annum

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LETS (different countries)LETS (different countries)

�� Started in 1982 by Michael Linton at Commox Valley, Started in 1982 by Michael Linton at Commox Valley, British Columbia, Canada, then spread into other British Columbia, Canada, then spread into other countries (UK, Australia, NZ, contiental Europe etc)countries (UK, Australia, NZ, contiental Europe etc)

�� Called Called ““SELSEL”” ((SystSystèèmes dmes d’é’échanges locaux) in France changes locaux) in France and and ““TauschringeTauschringe”” in Germanyin Germany

�� Members Members exchange goods and/or services and pay in exchange goods and/or services and pay in LETS points (see next slides)LETS points (see next slides)

�� The The total sumtotal sum of all accounts is of all accounts is always zeroalways zero

�� Appropriate for transactions between individuals at Appropriate for transactions between individuals at small communities (a few hundreds of people) or small communities (a few hundreds of people) or districts in urban areasdistricts in urban areas

�� http://www.gmlets.uhttp://www.gmlets.u--net.com/design/home.htmlnet.com/design/home.html

�� http://www.letshttp://www.lets--linkup.com/ etc.linkup.com/ etc.

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LETS (different countries)LETS (different countries)

�� On 08 January Andy gives Betty 5 kilos of On 08 January Andy gives Betty 5 kilos of

potatoes and receives 10 pointspotatoes and receives 10 points

Name Previous amount

Change Current amount

Andy 0 +10 +10

Betty 0 -10 -10

Charly 0 0 0

Total 0 0 0

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LETS (different countries)LETS (different countries)

�� Attention: the total sum of all accounts is Attention: the total sum of all accounts is

always zeroalways zero

Name Previous amount

Change Current amount

Andy 0 +10 +10

Betty 0 -10 -10

Charly 0 0 0

Total 0 0 0

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LETS (different countries)LETS (different countries)

�� On 13 January Betty gives Charly her cakes On 13 January Betty gives Charly her cakes

and receives 15 pointsand receives 15 points

Name Previous amount

Change Current amount

Andy +10 0 +10

Betty -10 +15 +5

Charly 0 -15 -15

Total 0 0 0

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LETS (different countries)LETS (different countries)

�� On 17 January Charly sells Andy his books and On 17 January Charly sells Andy his books and

receives 25 pointsreceives 25 points

Name Previous amount

Change Current amount

Andy +10 -25 -15

Betty +5 0 +5

Charly -15 +25 +10

Total 0 0 0

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Examples of LETSExamples of LETS

�� Hanbat LETS (Daejeon, South Korea): Hanbat LETS (Daejeon, South Korea): founded in 2000 founded in 2000 with more than 4,000 trades (more than US$100,000) with more than 4,000 trades (more than US$100,000) annually. annually. http://www.tjlets.or.kr/http://www.tjlets.or.kr/

�� CES (Cape Town, South Africa etc.): CES (Cape Town, South Africa etc.): an online clearing an online clearing system of LETS, operational in 10 countries. system of LETS, operational in 10 countries. http://www.ces.org.za/http://www.ces.org.za/

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Time Dollar & Timebank Time Dollar & Timebank

(US, UK etc.)(US, UK etc.)�� Started in Washington D.C., US by a lawyer Edgar Started in Washington D.C., US by a lawyer Edgar

Cahn as a means to promote social justiceCahn as a means to promote social justice

�� Members help each other and Members help each other and those who help others those who help others receive hours receive hours to be spent when they want some help to be spent when they want some help from others from others –– Improvement of quality of life for a wide Improvement of quality of life for a wide range of peoplerange of people

�� Cooperation with other businesses has enabled this Cooperation with other businesses has enabled this system to achieve different goalssystem to achieve different goals

�� United States: http://www.timebanks.org/United States: http://www.timebanks.org/

�� United Kingdom: http://www.timebank.org.uk/United Kingdom: http://www.timebank.org.uk/

�� Spain: http://www.redSpain: http://www.red--bdt.org/bdt.org/

�� Chile: http://bancodeltiempo.blogspot.com/Chile: http://bancodeltiempo.blogspot.com/

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Fureai Kippu (Japan)Fureai Kippu (Japan)

�� Started in 1970s by housewives as a local network of Started in 1970s by housewives as a local network of mutual helpmutual help

�� Those who ask for help buy tickets (about US$6 per Those who ask for help buy tickets (about US$6 per hour)hour) and volunteers stock these hours and spend and volunteers stock these hours and spend them when they need help (cooking, driving service them when they need help (cooking, driving service etc.)etc.)

�� Tickets are redeemable in yenTickets are redeemable in yen, although usually below , although usually below the minimum wage: help is more worthy than money for the minimum wage: help is more worthy than money for volunteersvolunteers

�� Quite active until 2000 when the Public Care System Quite active until 2000 when the Public Care System for the Elderly was introducedfor the Elderly was introduced

�� http://www.sawayakazaidan.or.jp/http://www.sawayakazaidan.or.jp/

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WIRBank, SwitzerlandWIRBank, Switzerland

�� A B2B CC system since 1934 in the A B2B CC system since 1934 in the

SwitzerlandSwitzerland

�� SMEs make a loan in WIRSMEs make a loan in WIR instead of CHF, instead of CHF,

since the interest rate for loans in WIR is lower since the interest rate for loans in WIR is lower

than those in CHFthan those in CHF

�� WIR is only accepted by Swiss SMEsWIR is only accepted by Swiss SMEs / /

retaining the purchasing power within their own retaining the purchasing power within their own

business circle (not out into multinationals or business circle (not out into multinationals or

into neighbouring countries)into neighbouring countries)

�� WIRBank as a cooperativeWIRBank as a cooperative: member : member

companies can control WIRBankcompanies can control WIRBank

�� http://www.wir.ch/http://www.wir.ch/

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Recent initiativesRecent initiatives

(since 1995(since 1995--))�� Barter Clubs (Argentina): Barter Clubs (Argentina): once the biggest CC once the biggest CC

movement in the worldmovement in the world�� Banco Palmas (Brazil): Banco Palmas (Brazil): a community bank which gives a community bank which gives

microcredits in their own complementary currencymicrocredits in their own complementary currency�� REGIO (Germany): REGIO (Germany): some 30 initiatives in practice, some 30 initiatives in practice,

dealing with a region (some counties, for instance) and dealing with a region (some counties, for instance) and stimulating the regional economystimulating the regional economy

�� SOL Project (France): SOL Project (France): to promote the social economyto promote the social economy�� Banca Etica(Italy):Banca Etica(Italy): a bank which gives loans exclusively a bank which gives loans exclusively

to social and ecoto social and eco--friendly projectsfriendly projects�� Strohalm:Strohalm: a Dutch NGO which has been implementing a Dutch NGO which has been implementing

different initiatives especially in Europe and Latin different initiatives especially in Europe and Latin America.America. http://www.strohalm.org/http://www.strohalm.org/

�� Only a tip of the iceberg:Only a tip of the iceberg: more interesting initiatives can more interesting initiatives can be found all over the worldbe found all over the world

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Barter Clubs, ArgentinaBarter Clubs, Argentina

�� The The biggest complementary currency system biggest complementary currency system ever had ever had in the worldin the world

�� A barter club in the suburb of Buenos Aires in May A barter club in the suburb of Buenos Aires in May 1995 with 23 members 1995 with 23 members grew into a huge national grew into a huge national network of thousands of clubsnetwork of thousands of clubs with 6 million people (1 with 6 million people (1 out of 6 Argentineans at that period) made ends meet out of 6 Argentineans at that period) made ends meet during the national crisis in 2001during the national crisis in 2001--20022002

�� The The mismanagement of the credit (their complementary mismanagement of the credit (their complementary currency)currency), however, led to a severe , however, led to a severe inflation inflation and most and most people left it, although some 40,000 to 50,000 still go people left it, although some 40,000 to 50,000 still go on exchangingon exchanging

�� Some initiatives to revive this movementSome initiatives to revive this movement

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Banco Palmas, BrazilBanco Palmas, Brazil

�� A A community bank community bank in Fortaleza, Cearin Fortaleza, Cearáá, Brazil since , Brazil since 1998 which gives microcredits in its complementary 1998 which gives microcredits in its complementary currencycurrency

�� Interest rates on microcredits are much lower than the Interest rates on microcredits are much lower than the one in real (Brazilone in real (Brazil’’s currency), s currency), enabling people with enabling people with limited income to start up their own businesslimited income to start up their own business

�� 1200 jobs have been created thanks to this system1200 jobs have been created thanks to this system

�� http://www.bancopalmas.org.br/ http://www.bancopalmas.org.br/

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Chiemgauer, GermanyChiemgauer, Germany

�� One of some 30One of some 30 REGIO (regional currencies) projects REGIO (regional currencies) projects throughout Germany/Austriathroughout Germany/Austria

�� €€--backed vouchersbacked vouchers that circulate within the region to that circulate within the region to stimulate small businesses and the regional economystimulate small businesses and the regional economy

�� Started by female highStarted by female high--school students with their school students with their professor in Jan 2003, professor in Jan 2003, with now 1300 individual and with now 1300 individual and 600 business members600 business members

�� More than C210,000 (=More than C210,000 (=€€210,000) in circulation, 210,000) in circulation, increasing local businessesincreasing local businesses’’ turnoverturnover

�� Redeemable in euro but with 5% commission:Redeemable in euro but with 5% commission: 2% for 2% for the administrative cost and the administrative cost and 3% for non3% for non--profitsprofits

�� ATM service is available tooATM service is available too

�� http://www.chiemgauer.info/http://www.chiemgauer.info/

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Chiemgauer, GermanyChiemgauer, Germany

�� 2 Chiemgauer bill, with 2% of demurrage each 2 Chiemgauer bill, with 2% of demurrage each

3 months (to be referred to later)3 months (to be referred to later)

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Chiemgauer, GermanyChiemgauer, Germany

�� Chiemgauer Cash CardChiemgauer Cash Card

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Chiemgauer, GermanyChiemgauer, Germany

�� ChiemgauerChiemgauer’’s circulation (further on next slide)s circulation (further on next slide)

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Chiemgauer, GermanyChiemgauer, Germany�� How will it circulate?How will it circulate?�� 1: 1: Chiemgauer office sells Chiemgauer office sells C100 at 97 euro to C100 at 97 euro to

other nonother non--profitsprofits�� 2:2: Local nonLocal non--profits sell C100 profits sell C100 at 100 euro to at 100 euro to

their members, earning 3 eurotheir members, earning 3 euro to be spent for to be spent for their own activitiestheir own activities

�� 3:3: Consumers spend C100 instead of 100 euro Consumers spend C100 instead of 100 euro at local businesses, at local businesses, donating indirectly 3 euro donating indirectly 3 euro to the nonto the non--profit they supportprofit they support

�� 4:4: Local businesses spend Local businesses spend C100 to other local C100 to other local businesses or redeem 95 euro, businesses or redeem 95 euro, and the and the difference of 2 euro will be spent to cover the difference of 2 euro will be spent to cover the administrative cost of Chiemgauer officeadministrative cost of Chiemgauer office

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DemurrageDemurrage�� Suggested by Suggested by Silvio Gesell Silvio Gesell

(1862(1862--1930), a German 1930), a German entrepreneur and economist who entrepreneur and economist who found out the unfairness of the found out the unfairness of the current monetary systemcurrent monetary system

�� US$100 note is much more US$100 note is much more preferred to equivalent apples as preferred to equivalent apples as money is free from degradationmoney is free from degradation

�� So So abolish the privilege of money abolish the privilege of money by making it gradually perishableby making it gradually perishable> demurrage> demurrage

�� Masterpiece: Masterpiece: ““The Natural The Natural Economic OrderEconomic Order”” (1916), with the (1916), with the whole text available online at: whole text available online at: http://www.systemfehler.de/en/nehttp://www.systemfehler.de/en/neo/index.htmo/index.htm

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WWöörgl, Austriargl, Austria�� Local currency (LC) issued by the mayor Local currency (LC) issued by the mayor

Michael Unterguggenberger in July 1932: Michael Unterguggenberger in July 1932: during the Great Depressionduring the Great Depression

�� Holders of LC charged of Holders of LC charged of ““demurrage feedemurrage fee””�� LCLC’’s s quick circulation reactivated local tradesquick circulation reactivated local trades

and people even tried to pay their tax in and people even tried to pay their tax in advanceadvance

�� So successful economically, though, that the So successful economically, though, that the Austrian Central Bank, fearing to lose its grip Austrian Central Bank, fearing to lose its grip over its national currency, stopped it in Sep over its national currency, stopped it in Sep 19331933

�� Similar cases occurred in the past (up to Similar cases occurred in the past (up to 1950s) in Germany and France, being finished 1950s) in Germany and France, being finished by force by the central governmentsby force by the central governments

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WWöörgl, Austriargl, Austria

�� Michael UnterguggenbergerMichael Unterguggenberger’’s Monument next s Monument next to the City Hallto the City Hall

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WWöörgl, Austriargl, Austria

�� Ms. Veronika Spielbichler (Unterguggenberger Ms. Veronika Spielbichler (Unterguggenberger Institute, WInstitute, Wöörgl) with a copy of the LCrgl) with a copy of the LC

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SOL project (France)SOL project (France)

�� SOL CoopSOL Coopéérationration, , SOL engagementSOL engagement and and SOL affectSOL affectéé: : to promote theto promote the social economysocial economy

�� SOL CoopSOL Coopéérationration: similar to the loyalty programme but : similar to the loyalty programme but with the aim to promote social or ecowith the aim to promote social or eco--friendly friendly enterprises (B2C an B2B)enterprises (B2C an B2B)

�� SOL EngagementSOL Engagement: promotes voluntary activities by : promotes voluntary activities by giving them some SOL pointsgiving them some SOL points

�� SOL points suffer from the SOL points suffer from the ““demurragedemurrage””, encouraging , encouraging users to spend them instead of savingusers to spend them instead of saving

�� http://www.solhttp://www.sol--reseau.org/reseau.org/

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Banca Etica, ItalyBanca Etica, Italy

�� Founded in 1999 in Padua to finance nonFounded in 1999 in Padua to finance non--profits and cooperatives which otherwise profits and cooperatives which otherwise wouldnwouldn’’t get loanst get loans

�� Savers choose one of four domains for their Savers choose one of four domains for their money to be invested: money to be invested: 1. social co1. social co--operation, 2. operation, 2. ecoeco--friendly projects, 3. developing countries, 4. friendly projects, 3. developing countries, 4. cultural eventscultural events

�� Savers can also Savers can also lower their interest ratelower their interest rate�� Finances some Finances some €€ 375 million to 2571 entities375 million to 2571 entities�� In close relationship with INAISE, FEBEA, In close relationship with INAISE, FEBEA,

SEFEA and other entitiesSEFEA and other entities�� http://www.bancaetica.com/http://www.bancaetica.com/

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Banca Etica, ItalyBanca Etica, Italy

�� Projects which have so far got BEProjects which have so far got BE’’s loans loan�� Fair trade for a Honduran coffee cooperativeFair trade for a Honduran coffee cooperative�� Reconstruction of a historic district in Riace, Reconstruction of a historic district in Riace,

Southern ItalySouthern Italy�� Organic farm by a Benedictine monasteryOrganic farm by a Benedictine monastery�� Organic farming to lessen peopleOrganic farming to lessen people’’s s

dependency on the underground economydependency on the underground economy�� Support for drugSupport for drug--addictedaddicted�� HealthHealth--care support system for prostitutescare support system for prostitutes�� Economic aid to AlbaniaEconomic aid to Albania

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TodayToday’’s topics topic

�� Why is todayWhy is today’’s socioeconomic system s socioeconomic system

unsustainable and unfair?unsustainable and unfair?

�� Required features for our monetary Required features for our monetary

system to promote the sustainable and system to promote the sustainable and

fair developmentfair development

�� Experiences in the worldExperiences in the world

�� Conclusion / QuestionsConclusion / Questions

Page 40: Complementary Currencies for Sustainable Development (Japan) - Theories and Practices - Miguel Yasuyuki Hirota

ConclusionConclusion

�� Our very monetary system has several Our very monetary system has several structural defaults and is unsustainablestructural defaults and is unsustainable

�� It is YangIt is Yang--orientedoriented�� Complementary currencies: Complementary currencies: tool to promote Yin tool to promote Yin

principles to balance our societyprinciples to balance our society�� Different systems all over the world, each one Different systems all over the world, each one

in accordance with the communityin accordance with the community’’s needss needs

Page 41: Complementary Currencies for Sustainable Development (Japan) - Theories and Practices - Miguel Yasuyuki Hirota

Questions 1/4Questions 1/4�� 1. What is/are your complementary currency1. What is/are your complementary currency’’s goal(s) ?s goal(s) ?

�� 2. What sorts of demands remain unsatisfied in your 2. What sorts of demands remain unsatisfied in your

community / region / country?community / region / country?

�� 3. What unused resources are available?3. What unused resources are available?

�� 4. What kind of improvements can be expected by 4. What kind of improvements can be expected by using complementary currencies?using complementary currencies?

�� 5. Who will be the most interested in complementary 5. Who will be the most interested in complementary

currencies?currencies?

�� More info: http://www.globalMore info: http://www.global--

community.org/cgi/gc/scan/fi=news_stories/st=db/sf=cocommunity.org/cgi/gc/scan/fi=news_stories/st=db/sf=co

de/se=25/sp=stories.htmlde/se=25/sp=stories.html

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Questions 2/4Questions 2/4�� Who will be the members of the startWho will be the members of the start--up project up project

team ?team ?

Page 43: Complementary Currencies for Sustainable Development (Japan) - Theories and Practices - Miguel Yasuyuki Hirota

Questions 3/4Questions 3/4�� 1. What means will you use?1. What means will you use?

��commoditiescommodities / bills, coins/ bills, coins / cheques/ cheques / / electronic currencyelectronic currency / some of them/ some of them��

�� 2. What is the unit of your currency?2. What is the unit of your currency?��legal tenderlegal tender / time/ time / other goods/ other goods��

�� 3. 3.

��

Page 44: Complementary Currencies for Sustainable Development (Japan) - Theories and Practices - Miguel Yasuyuki Hirota

Questions 4/4Questions 4/4

�� Draw a chart like thisDraw a chart like this

Page 45: Complementary Currencies for Sustainable Development (Japan) - Theories and Practices - Miguel Yasuyuki Hirota

Further readingFurther reading

�� ““The Future of MoneyThe Future of Money”” (Bernard Lietaer, Century, 2000)(Bernard Lietaer, Century, 2000)�� ““Interest and InflationInterest and Inflation--free Moneyfree Money”” (Margrit Kennedy) (Margrit Kennedy)

available at:available at: http://www.margritkennedy.de/http://www.margritkennedy.de/�� ““Money: Understanding and Creating Alternatives to Money: Understanding and Creating Alternatives to

Legal TenderLegal Tender”” (Thomas Greco, Chelsea Green (Thomas Greco, Chelsea Green Publishing Company, 2001)Publishing Company, 2001)

�� ““The Ecology of MoneyThe Ecology of Money”” (Richard Douthwaite, Green (Richard Douthwaite, Green Books, 2000)Books, 2000)

�� ““No More ThrowNo More Throw--Away People: The CoAway People: The Co--Production Production ImperativeImperative”” (Edgar Cahn)(Edgar Cahn)

�� ””Healthy Money, Healthy PlanetHealthy Money, Healthy Planet”” (Deirdre Kent, Craig (Deirdre Kent, Craig Potton, NZ, 2006)Potton, NZ, 2006)

�� ““The Princes of YenThe Princes of Yen””(Richard Werner, M.E. Sharpe, (Richard Werner, M.E. Sharpe, 2003)2003)

Page 46: Complementary Currencies for Sustainable Development (Japan) - Theories and Practices - Miguel Yasuyuki Hirota

Related websitesRelated websites

�� http://www.margritkennedy.org/ http://www.margritkennedy.org/ �� http://www.accessfoundation.org/ http://www.accessfoundation.org/ �� http://www.reinventingmoney.com/ http://www.reinventingmoney.com/ (Prof. Thomas Greco(Prof. Thomas Greco’’s official s official

website)website)�� http://www.complementarycurrency.org/ http://www.complementarycurrency.org/ (more info about initiatives (more info about initiatives

all over the world)all over the world)�� http://www.le.org.nz/ http://www.le.org.nz/ (a NZ trust)(a NZ trust)�� http://www.monetaryhttp://www.monetary--regionalisation.com/regionalisation.com/ (a website for the (a website for the

conference which took place in Weimar, Germany in Sep 2006)conference which took place in Weimar, Germany in Sep 2006)�� http://www.globalhttp://www.global--community.org/community.org/ (where the Community Currency (where the Community Currency

Guide is available for free)Guide is available for free)�� http://www.regiogeld.de/http://www.regiogeld.de/ (a national association of Regio initiatives (a national association of Regio initiatives

in Germany)in Germany)�� http://www.strohalm.org/http://www.strohalm.org/ (a Dutch non(a Dutch non--profit which works for the profit which works for the

implementation of complementary currencies)implementation of complementary currencies)

Page 47: Complementary Currencies for Sustainable Development (Japan) - Theories and Practices - Miguel Yasuyuki Hirota

Thank you very much for your attention.Thank you very much for your attention.

My eMy e--mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

My skype account: migjp2003My skype account: migjp2003

Website: http://www.olccjp.netWebsite: http://www.olccjp.net