Building Our Solidarity Economy is a one-day conference to be held at the University of Michigan on March 28, 2025. The conference is co-organized by UM’s Ginsberg Center and the Michigan Chapter of Resource Generation, with engagement from over a dozen other units, organizations, and local groups. This conference will offer students and community members opportunities to deepen their understanding of the solidarity economy in theory and practice, access concrete skill-building (fundraising, redistribution, community investment, navigating conflict), and reflect on the importance of organizing cross-class movements for economic justice at UM and in the broader community.

The Ginsberg Center is a unit within Student Life at the University of Michigan that helps facilitate equitable relationships between the university and community organizations. This conference relates to several of Ginsberg’s programming areas, namely social entrepreneurship, philanthropy, advocacy, and community organizing. 

Resource Generation is a national membership organization for young people with wealth and/or class privilege. Half of UM undergrads’ parents are in the top 10% based on income. 10% are in the top 1%. This conference creates opportunities for RG Michigan to expand our membership and visibility, promote cross-chapter exchange and leadership development, and deepen our own understanding of the role of young people with wealth and class privilege in building the solidarity economy.

Support for this event is provided by the U-M Year of Democracy, Civic Empowerment, and Global Engagement and our partners.

If you do not have a University of Michigan email, please sign up for a friend account before registering for any conference sessions.