In recent years, various initiatives have been launched to strengthen local production and consump-tion in order to foster a resistance economy, reclaiming resources mostly monopolized by the Israeli occupation system. While neoliberalism is associated with the colonization of the West Bank, the economic assumptions of the Oslo period and neoliberal orthodoxy have to be challenged in order to think a resistance economy that would bring back forms of sovereignty: food sovereignty is then considered as the first one to be restored, important as the ultimate frontier of territorial, political and economic dispossession. These new practices are both rooted in Palestinian history and self-ruled experiences of the first Intifada and inspired by global networks and knowledge, i.e. those of the social economy and the sharing economy that blossom worldwide, in Europe, North and South America, Africa... These initiatives are not only about agriculture (organic production, Agroecology, consumer groups, farmers’ unions engagements) that plays a key role in Palestinian economy, but also about tourism (alternative tourism), Community funding systems, renewable energy, heritage oriented projects, social entrepreneurship…etc.
This aim of this round table session is to get practical outcomes. It will bring together producers, civil society groups and networks, scholars, students, unions, entrepreneurs from various sectors, cooperatives, committed citizens to reevaluate the local economy in Palestine and get inspired by local and global experiences. How can citizens endorse their role as main actors in local economic development? How to connect the various initiatives? How to come up with new ideas and projects to strengthen a sharing and resistance economy in a context of non-sovereignty? Given the incapaci-ty of macro-actors, what new dimensions and opportunities can be opened up for local and citizen initiatives?

5 themes will be discussed

1. What does Local/Resistance Economy Mean in Palestine Today and How to Connect its Actors?
2. How Can Tourism Better Support a Resistance Economy?
3. How to Rethink Local Agriculture in a Food Sovereignty Perspective?
4. How to Share Goods, Services and Knowledge without Money?
5. What is Circular Economy? Which Connections to Build a Resilient and Nature based Local Economy?

Each theme will be discussed at a table gathering 5 to 8 people, moderated by 2 hosts.
There will be 3 rounds of conversation so participants will be able to discuss 3 different themes. The first round will last 45 minutes. The participants will then have the opportunity (if they wish to) to switch table to contribute to another theme. The 2 moderators will stay at the same round table and welcome new participants with a quick summary of what has been said at their table. The second and third rounds will last 30 minutes each. At the end of the workshop, the 2 hosts will share the outcomes of the round table works in a plenary session which will end up with a general debate and future plans or projects.

Languages: Arabic, English