March 22, 2022 – Ecological and social transition and circular economy
The circular economy is “a system of production, exchange and consumption aimed at optimizing the use of resources at all stages of the life cycle of a good or a service, in a circular logic, while reducing the environmental footprint and contributing to the well-being of individuals and communities. “(Quebec consultation center on the circular economy). As countries are not all at the same stage of social and economic development, not all will take the same path to transform.
During this session Stéphanie Jagou, training manager at the Center for Intersectoral Studies and Research in the Circular Economy, presented what the circular economy is.
Download her presentation from the webinar to learn more (in French only).
Presentation – Stéphanie Jagou
We then presented three circular economy initiatives (in French only):
- Guillaume Cantin from La Transformerie in Quebec
- Cheikhou Oumar Diallo of Super Mbalit in Senegal
- Annie Asselin from Réno-Jouets in Quebec
Presentation – La Transformerie
Video of the session
Speakers
Milder Villegas
CEO
Filaction
Milder Villegas is a Quebecois of Peruvian origin. He holds a MBA from UQAM and has over 25 years of experience in the field of finance, both traditional and solidarity finance. His career has led him to sit on many boards of organizations evolving in economic and social development. Since 2011, he is the General Director of Filaction, a development fund that supports Quebec SMEs, particularly in the areas of social economy, culture, tourism and diversity entrepreneurship. He is motivated by values of inclusion and access to opportunities regardless of race or socioeconomic profile. During his career, he has always been the promoter of alternative and innovative solutions that make the difference. In May 2015, he was appointed President of the International Association of Investors in the Social Economy (INAISE), an international network of some forty financial institutions around the world. He is also a board member of the International Free Software Association and CIRIEC Canada (Interdisciplinary Collaborative Research and Information Center).
Stéphanie Jagou
Training manager
Center for intersectoral studies and research in the circular economy
Stéphanie Jagou holds a Masters in International Trade (France) and a BA in Business in Europe (UK). She has nearly 20 years of experience in the fields of sustainable development and corporate social responsibility. She also combines solid experience in management, as well as in communication, public relations and event organization. A trainer since 2012, she develops educational programs adapted to a variety of audiences, and has specialized in circular economy since 2016. She has co-created and implemented numerous summer schools, as well as a MOOC. Currently responsible for training at CERIEC, she is also a lecturer at HEC Montréal. In 2020, she wrote a reference report summarizing Quebec’s experience on its transition to the circular economy, between 2014 and 2020. From the NGO to the SME via the multinational and the academic world, she evolved in various organizations, and led numerous mandates in Canada, Europe and New Zealand. As a consultant, she has also participated in numerous development projects, notably in Haiti, Gabon and Costa Rica.
Guillaume Cantin
Co-initiator & Managing Director
La Transformerie
Guillaume Cantin is a human at the service of others. Graduate from the École hôtelière de la Capitale, his passion for food is beyond a vocation : it’s a way to build a better world and help others. Early in his career, his talent and driven personality bring him to win the first season of the culinary show Les Chefs! at Radio-Canada. After many years to highlight local products in some of the most prestigious kitchens of Quebec, Guillaume take a step back to re-orient his career to have a positive impact in the society. Challenged by a close friend to prepare a culinary feast with food recovered from dumpster diving, he becomes brutally aware of the extent of food waste. He decides to put all his talent to work to stop that problem. In 2017, with three friends, he co-founds the non-for profit organization : La Transformerie. Photo: © Bénédicte Brocard
Annie Asselin
General manager
Réno-Jouets
Determined and dedicated to the mission of her company, Annie Asselin is the founder and general manager of Réno-Jouets. For 15 years, the social economy enterprise has diverted more than 1.4 million toys from landfills. She sees in abandoned toys a business opportunity. She worked for many years in catering in management positions. If this work was her real school in management, she pursued her bachelor’s degree in administration when she had young children. In 15 years, through trial and error, canvassing and projects, Réno-Jouets has developed its expertise and reputation in the recycling of used toys. “At first people thought the project wouldn’t work, people wouldn’t donate their toys and they wouldn’t buy used toys. We must not forget: 15 years ago, recovery was not in fashion”. Since then, the context has changed a lot, but the mission remains the same. “We are not resellers. Our primary mission is to divert toys from landfills, to give them a second life. We give 2 out of 3. The store is interesting for those who choose us for ecology or want to save money. Well rooted in the economic model specific to its legal form, she does not hesitate to draw inspiration from the management methods of private companies, for the benefit of its mission. “I am non-profit, but I have the right to make money. I have always managed in a liberal economy, with the advantage of the social economy. I can get partners that I wouldn’t have if I was set up as an inc. company. These partners will help me knowing that it goes to children and not an individual: it is to enrich everyone”.
Cheikhou Oumar Diallo
Youg Entrepreneur
SUPER MBALIT
Holder of a degree in economics and management, Cheikhou Oumar Diallo is an entrepreneur incubated by the city of Dakar in the second promotion of CEPEM (initiated by the city of Dakar to support young people with innovative projects). He is also president of two associations, one municipal and the other national, all working in the protection of the environment and in the fight against illegal emigration. His knowledge of the area where the SUPER MBALIT project will be located and his expertise in the field of solid waste management, as well as his commitment at the community level (actor of positive change, defender of the environment, and bearer of several initiatives that fight against the insalubrity of the bay of Hann) are its decisive assets for this project.