The South African New Economics Network (SANE) is a network of organisations and individuals developing new economic and financial models designed to promote poverty alleviation, community self-reliance, civic redevelopment, ecological sustainability, social equity, and economic justice for all South Africans.

S.A.N.E is organised as a free association of organisations and individuals who recognise the central role of economics in modern society and are concerned about the social and eco-systemic consequences of economics as it is conventionally taught and practised.

S A N E challenges the narrow way in which most economists have tended to reduce people to economic agents, the environment to property, social institutions to markets, and progress to growth in production.

S A N E questions the effectiveness and responsibility of the present world economic system in the face of widespread evidence of worsening income inequality, poverty, unemployment, violent crime, environmental degradation, unfulfilling work, and disintegration of traditional values and social systems.

S A N E encourages dialogue on and experimentation with alternative economic theories, practices, models, systems, and choices which are purposefully designed to promote social and personal flourishing, economic equity and justice, community self-reliance, and eco-systemic sustainability.

Roots

"New Economics" should not be confused with the more recently introduced concept of "The New Economy" which relates to the economics of globalisation and the information technology revolution. The roots of the "new economics" tradition embraced by SANE can be traced back through a long line of pioneers from all ages who resisted the prescriptions of popular economic theories based on the self-interests of minority elite classes. The modern movement, however, is often attributed to the seminal work of UK economist E.F. Schumacher who, in 1976, wrote a treatise on a new "economics as if people mattered". Approximately ten years later, the ideas gained more popular support with the formation of TOES (The Other Economic Summit). This focal point was designed to promote an alternative view on economics which would counter the exclusive, self-interested agenda embodied in the G-7 Summits of the major industrial nations. TOES later reconstituted as the New Economics Foundation, a research and lobby organisation based in London. Many of its initial participants continue to do ground-breaking work independently. Among these leading proponents of new economics are James Robertson and Paul Ekins in the UK, Hazel Henderson and Herman Daly in the USA and Manfred Max-Neef in Chile.

SANE Activities

• Research, communication, civil society capacity building, and advocacy
• Internet discussion forum, email bulletins, and web site
• News Bulletins and New Economics newsletter
• New Economics study groups
• A monetary innovation think-tank group
• Promotion of local economic activity and community building through Community
• New Exchange & Financial Systems
• Accessing international New Economics literature and research, and running a New Economics resource centre
• Networking locally and internationally
• Experimentation with New Economic and Financial Models
• Open Participation for “Non-Experts”

S.A.N.E. encourages broad participation and diverse contribution to the SANE Network by any organisation or individual engaged in questioning conventional economics and seeking alternatives which promote greater social and personal flourishing, economic equity and justice, community self-reliance, and eco-systemic sustainability; and hence, a more SANE society. You can join the network through this web site, or contact us by phone, fax or email for more information.

The Board of Trustees of SANE

Joseph Chike Edozien II (Chairman, Chief Executive Trustee)

Dr. Aart Roukens de Lange (Founding Trustee)

Mr. John Charles Haggis

Mr. Andrew Richard Weeks

Rev. Keith Anthony Vermeulen

In Memoriam: Margaret Jean Legum (Previous Executive Chairwoman)

Trust Registration No. – IT2904/99.

NPO Registration No. – 012-739NPO