BIEN — Basic Income Earth Network
Compiled Truth
BIEN is the international network of basic-income researchers and advocates (basicincome.org), founded in 1986 at a meeting in Louvain-la-Neuve that Claus Offe and Peter Ashby chaired. Co-founders include Guy Standing, Philippe Van Parijs, Yoland Bresson, Karl Widerquist, Alexander de Roo, and David Casassas. The network now runs an annual international Congress gathering academics and activists for basic income (every two years until 2014, annual since 2016). [Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_Income_Earth_Network + basicincome.org, 2026-05-03]
The next BIEN Congress is August 19–22, 2026 at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) — directly relevant to UBI Works’ Toronto footprint and upcoming Toronto conference work. [Source: basicincome.org, 2026-02]
Key People
- Guy Standing — co-founder and former co-chair of BIEN; author of The Precariat; central link between BIEN and the UBI Works community. See guy-standing.
- Chris Ford — involved in BIEN Congress proposal work. See chris-ford.
Relationships
- UBI Works — natural alignment as Canadian UBI advocacy org; Toronto 2026 Congress at TMU creates a concrete opportunity for joint programming, band performance, or outreach. See ubi-works.
- Heather Brooks-Hill — neighbor of the 2023 Basic Income Anthem composer; bridge supporter whose network overlaps BIEN’s cultural programming. See heather-brooks-hill.
Timeline
- 1986 | BIEN founded at a meeting in Louvain-la-Neuve (originally “Basic Income European Network”; later became “Earth”). [Source: en.wikipedia.org, 2026-05-03]
- 2014 | Guy Standing reports on SEWA/UNICEF basic-income pilots in India to BIEN community (London talk). [Source: basicincome.org, 2014]
- 2026-02 | BIEN podcast episode “The Precariat, Basic Income & the future of work” — Extrapolate Podcast feature. [Source: basicincome.org, 2026-02]
- 2026-08-19 → 2026-08-22 | Next annual BIEN Congress at Toronto Metropolitan University. [Source: basicincome.org, 2026-02]
Open Questions
- Does UBI Works or Common Wealth intend to present / sponsor at the Aug 2026 TMU Congress?
- Is the Heather Brooks-Hill / Kevin band performance (planned for Toronto conference) aligned with this Congress?
Back-links
- guy-standing — co-founder
- chris-ford — BIEN Congress proposal involvement
- ubi-works — aligned Canadian advocacy org
- universal-basic-income — primary policy concept
Timeline
- 2026-04-25 | Chris Ford confirmed as host of BIEN Canada Day evening meetup on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 (hosting again — recurring role). [Source: Slack commonwealth, 2026-04-25]