Co-operative News - Canada

Planning underway for co-operative movement’s answer to ‘Davos’

Anca — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 09:57:50 +0000

The team behind the International Summit of Cooperatives is working to build on the success of 2012’s conference.

In October 2014, the second high-level business event for the co-operative movement is set to take place in Quebec City with a strong focus on delivering the International Co-operative Alliance’s objectives for a Co-operative Decade.

The first Summit gathered more than 2,800 people from 91 countries in a three-day conference marking the International Year of Co-operatives.

According to Stéphane Bertrand, Executive Director of the Summit, the event is a global forum, responding to a business need of co-operative leaders to share ideas, research and experiences in order to bring co-operation to the next level.

“The first edition was an outstanding success, it was truly more than we have hoped for,” said Mr Bertrand, adding that more than 92 per cent of the participants gave positive feedback. “Most importantly, we have not lost our identity – promoting, growing and improving the performance of co-operative enterprises.”

In recognition of the scale and contribution of the event to the Canadian province, the Québec City Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently awarded the Fidéide Award for Business Event to the Summit.

Given the success of the first conference and the awareness it generated, the organisers expect the event to play an increasingly influential role at the global economic, political and regulatory levels.

Many co-operators, including ICA President Dame Pauline Green, called for the movement to make the Summit the Davos of co-operation.

Commented Mr Bertrand: “When we speak of the ‘Davos’ of something we think of a recurring event of high calibre and high standards. We would certainly like to see the Summit mentioned in the annals of co-operation as the ‘Davos’ of co-operation, but this will only happen in time. “

Mr Bertrand added that he is expecting the same level of engagement for 2014 from both the Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada. He added: “For an event of international calibre, it is very important to have the support of the two governments.”

The 2014 Summit is expected to build on the level of youth participation. Last year, more than 180 co-operators between the ages of 20 and 35 travelled from all over the world to participate in the Future Cooperative Leaders Program. Many of them also participated in writing the International Cooperative Youth Statement 2012, which was submitted to the UN as part of the closing ceremony of the International Year of Co-operatives.

Mr Bertrand said many young people have already expressed interest in participating in the next edition as volunteers or part of the organising committee, thus a higher level of youth participation is expected for the 2014 event.

The organisers are also in talks with high-profile speakers for the next event. Last year, the conference attracted co-operative leaders, academics, economists, high-level politicians and Nobel Prize winners.

• The second International Summit of Cooperatives is set to take place in Quebec City, 6–9 October, 2014.

Canadian Co-operative Awards open for nominations

Emily Barker — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 09:54:01 +0000

The Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) are asking co-operators to put forward their nominations for the annual Co-operative Awards before 31 March.

There are four categories: the Canadian Co-operative Achievement Award, the Global Co-operator Award, the Co-operative Governance Award and Pioneer Inductees in the Canadian Co-operative Hall of Fame.

The Canadian Co-operative Achievement Award was set up in 2001, followed by the Global Co-operator Award in 2005 and the governance awards in 2008.

Donna Balkan, the Communications Manager for CCA, said: “We think it is very important to present awards as a way of honouring excellence within the Canadian co-operative movement. The individual award recipients are often unsung heroes: people who have made an enormous impact on Canadian co-operatives and Canadian society, but are not well-known outside the co-operative sector.

“For example, Ed Gebert, a longtime credit union leader from Saskatchewan who was the 2012 winner of the Canadian Co-operative Achievement Award, was largely responsible for bringing the first-ever Automated Teller Machine (bank machine) to Canada. And many of the winners of the Global Co-operator Award have been volunteers who have devoted countless hours to CCA's international development projects.”

She explained the governance award was created because of the “enormous importance CCA places on effective co-operative governance.”

The Canadian Co-operative Hall of Fame was set up to celebrate the CCA’s 100th anniversary in 2009, the Pioneer Inductees are deceased individuals who were fundamental in shaping co-operation in Canada.

Donna added: “When we created the Hall of Fame, we felt this category was very important, because the stories of legendary co-operators like Alphonse Desjardins, founder of North America’s first financial services co-operative and Father Moses Coady, a leader of the Antigonish Movement, which spearheaded the development of co-operatives in the Atlantic provinces during the Great Depression, are not often found in high school or university history books, and we wanted these people to be recognised.”

Co-operators do not need to be a direct member of CCA to nominate someone for an award. After the nominations close, the award winners are chosen by separate selection committees for each award, which usually consist of members of CCA board.

These are not the only awards given to Canadian co-ops, Canada’s French-language national co-op association, the Conseil canadien de la cooperation et de la mutualité (CCCM), has its own awards programme, and Credit Union Central of Canada also give out awards each year.

To find out more and to apply for individual categories, visit the Awards website here.

Multimedia co-op inspires change in industry

Anca — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 11:01:23 +0000

A Canadian multimedia co-op is inspiring a positive change in the media industry by placing people before profit.

Founded in February 2011, Cooperative Communications is a member-owed co-operative that offers multimedia services for socially progressive businesses and organisations. One of the founders and now the current Creative Director, Benjamin Ryder, was eager to start a new enterprise and thought co-operation was the right way to make a positive difference to society.

He said: “I found the business world was full of people who justifiably put themselves first, although many times it was at the expense of others. I witnessed people who I respected and trusted lie in the pursuit of their own goals and ambitions.“

Benjamin’s co-operative adventure began with Edmonton Community Powered News (ECPN), a very short-lived Youtube project. He attended and filmed different events around the city trying to involve with and document the community. He met people who shared his values and principles and this inspired him to “put the project into something more practical than a hobby”.

The idea to start a co-op was inspired by The Vancouver Media Co-op who publishes The Dominion. Benjamin recalled: “When The Vancouver Media Co-op told me they were not expanding I thought I would just start my own co-op, one that was not limited by any journalistic code.”

Founding Cooperative Communications was, according to Benjamin, “one of the most difficult, most challenging and most rewarding processes” he had ever gone through. Throughout the process he received support from The Communitas Group, an Alberta based co-op development group.

The co-op is now a successful enterprise, offering multimedia services for socially progressive businesses and organisations.

Benjamin said: “It is my greatest strength to know that I am part of a team I can rely on. I trust how this business operates and I can put faith into our future. I have never found an environment where I feel as empowered, protected, supported and nurtured as I do now.

"When I meet with clients or speak in public there is such a wealth of strength from knowing that we're doing the right things for the right reasons."

Benjamin added co-ops should play a bigger role not only within the media industry, but also across other sectors as well. He argued a few major players dominate the media and communications industry and co-ops can offer an alternative solution as they operate on a set of ethical values and principles. They also enjoy a higher degree of autonomy than traditional enterprises.

“I think all industries need more co-operatives. I think that we need more balanced media and that we must with the greatest concern keep the internet free.

“For me and the other members of our co-op, it gives us a purpose beyond simply earning an income or working at a job. Co-operatives, I have noticed, seem to offer purpose. So in that sense yes the world industries be it media and communication to agriculture or pharmaceuticals, need more co-operatives.”

Benjamin also said co-ops can help to empower young people. He said: “Creating a co-op, for me has completely changed my life. It has shown me that people can work together and they can be relied upon. I’m excited to wake up and start working, I face challenges on a daily basis that I enjoy and give me a sense of belonging. I have started a company where everyone is equal and there isn’t a boss. Co-operation is the right thing to do, period.”

The co-op will be documenting the Gathering of Alberta Cooperatives in November, a conference lead by ACCA (Alberta Community and Cooperative Association) to mark the International Year of Co-operatives.

Cooperative Communications were also finalists in the National Co-op Challenge. Their video (see below) has already received many votes.

What sectors do you think co-ops should go into next? Write your comments below.

Madeleine Albright calls on world leaders to back co-ops

AnthonyMurray — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 21:37:21 +0000

Former United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright called on world leaders to connect with the co-operative model.

Ms Albright, who held the position from 1997-2001, made an impassioned plea on behalf of the movement at the International Summit of Cooperatives in Quebec City.

In talking about a multitude of global issues from differing cultures to world hunger, Ms Albright said the co-operative model can solve many problems.

She said: "The challenge for our leaders is not to eliminate the diversity of these perspectives, because that's not possible. The challenge is not to define them by their differences.

"This requires uniting people around principles, in which we can have confidence no matter where we live or what our backgrounds might be.

"That seems to be a very tall order, but in its own arena isn't it precisely what the international co-operative movement has accomplished. Your alliance was constructed around seven principles, these include voluntary and non-discriminatory membership, democratic organisation, a commitment to life-long learning and support for the sustainable development of the larger community.

"These principles have attracted 800 million members in more than one hundred countries and have been translated into good jobs, higher standards of living and a profound sense of what people working together can achieve.

"To world leaders who are looking for a model, I say either come to Quebec City this week or establish a connection with co-operatives back home. Either way you will learn a great deal that you need to know and it would be too much to say that the co-operative example is the solution to all ails, but in a world of six billion people and growing, in an era of high anxiety it seems to me like a pretty good place to start."

Ms Albright continued in her praise for co-operatives, especially from her personal experience of witnessing women being marginalised throughout the world and co-operatives providing a business model they can engage in.

She said: "The co-operative model definitely contributes to social progress. Obviously, there are many advantages to be able to count on a network and I strongly believe in common sense. This model shows what people can accomplish when they work together."

She added: "Women are particularly effective when they work together, which is what makes their strength."

In responding to the global economic crisis, Ms Albright believes co-operatives have the advantage over shareholder companies. Co-operatives have "ethics" and "principles that guide" the movement. She commented: "When one system works and another screws up, my view would be to look closely to the one that works."

Ms Albright said the unavoidable explanation for the financial collapse was "greed" and that with co-operatives being local and not global they have much better oversight from stakeholders in the business.

In closing, the former Secretary of State, praised co-operators around the world: "For all of you that have contributed to the co-operative movement in the past I salute you; and for what you are doing now and what you will do in the future I applaud you."

McKinsey report finds strength in co-operative business model

AnthonyMurray — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 20:33:03 +0000

Co-operatives grow at an identical rate to companies, and those mutuals in the food and agricultural have surpassed their corporate counter-parts.

This is the message from the Mckinsey on Cooperatives report unveiled at the International Summit of Cooperatives today.

Andrew Grant, Managing Partner of McKinsey & Company, revealed the statistic by studying growth patterns between 2005 and 2010. He said: "We found that the sources of growth of co-ops differ from their peers. While most companies are carried by the momentum of their portfolio of services in market segments rapidly expanding growth of cooperatives is mainly gain market share.

"We observed two characteristics in co-operatives that have successfully met the challenge of growth: 1) they develop and provide a systematic way of products and services that prioritize the interests of their members rather than short-term financial gains and 2) they evaluate the broader needs of their members in complementary markets attractive and adjust their business model accordingly to take advantage of these opportunities."

The study analyzed how 47 co-ops grew and compared those results with results for 54 publicly listed companies in the same industries and geographies. The research covered the four industries where co-operatives have a substantial presence—insurance, banking, retail, and agriculture—spanning Asia, Europe, North America, and emerging markets.

McKinsey found that while overall growth rates are similar in the aggregate, the composition of that growth is different between these two types of organisations. Co-operatives outperformed publicly listed companies on market-share gains, underperformed on portfolio momentum, and were roughly on par in mergers and acquisitions.

The report said: "It is not surprising that coops enjoy greater market-share gains. Co-ops traditionally focus on the needs of their members, have better proximity to and knowledge of their markets, and generally adhere to a strong set of social values that benefit their members.

"When we looked at performance by sector, we saw that these advantages were strongest in insurance and diversified financials, where the majority of the co-ops’ customers are also their owners. Retail co-ops were on par with public companies with respect to market-share gains, and agricultural co-ops actually fared worse than their public competitors."

McKinsey expressed concern in one area of growth compared to companies. It said portfolio momentum is the most important of the three growth drivers for companies, which accounts for over 55 per cent of total growth, and co-ops under-performed compared to publicly-held organisations on this measure regardless of industry.

It said the reasons for this were co-ops focus more on their members’ current needs than on developing innovative new products or actively searching for new markets to serve. Second, because co-ops tend to have a governance structure that favors consensus over executive decision making, it is more difficult for them to redeploy capital as quickly as public companies can — especially to new market segments where there may not be immediate benefits to the co-op’s current membership base.

Based on the McKinsey analysis it found two primary growth opportunities for co-operatives. First, co-ops should play to their natural strengths and continue to pursue market-share gains by delivering a unique member and customer experience. The other big growth opportunity for co-ops, and probably the one with the most potential, according to McKinsey, is to more actively pursue opportunities in fast-growing adjacent markets (products, customers, or geographies). It noted that most co-ops lagged behind their public-company competition on this measure.

McKinsey said co-operatives provide a unique member and customer experience. The ownership model provides a true competitive advantage for growing market share. Co-operatives that stood out from their peers on this type of growth typically displayed three characteristics. First, they placed the interests of their members ahead of the organisation’s short-term financial interests. Second, they leveraged their proximity to their members to serve them better. Finally, they broke down organisational silos to maximize benefits for their members.

Mr Grant added: "Although co-operatives will not suffer in the short term, the market pressure to expand their business, 96 per cent of executives see growth of co-operatives as a strategic priority for their organization and believe it is essential to maintaining a competitive range of services and the protection of the interests of their members."

• For more, see the full report below.

One billion owners cannot be wrong, says ICA President

AnthonyMurray — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 19:35:40 +0000

A meeting this week of leading co-operative businesses will look at overcoming the obstacles to even greater global co-operative business growth in the coming decades.

Speaking at the launch of the first International Summit of Cooperatives, in Quebec City, the President of the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA), Dame Pauline Green said, “With Spain’s youth unemployment rate at 53% and 25 million young people unemployed across the Eurozone; and with 17,000 children dying every day from hunger related causes in the developing world, the co-operative movement wants to get behind the plans of Jim Yong Kim, the World Bank’s new chief, to end poverty by promoting private sector partnerships and ensuring the benefits are shared throughout a developing society.

“That’s just what we, as co-operative business do everyday,” said Dame Pauline. “Across the world, over the last four years, the co-operative movement has been serving people in the real economy. Throughout the financial crisis and recession, our co-operative banks and credit unions have continued to lend to individuals and businesses and more than one million individuals have moved their bank accounts from the commercial sector to co-operatives.”

“The momentum we have built up during the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives (IYC) must continue. What this year has given the co-operative movement is cohesion and confidence.”

“A billion people are not starry-eyed idealists they are realists. They are members of co-operatives because it works for them and their families. These businesses coming together in such numbers to make our co-operative future are the voice of the billion,” said Dame Pauline.

A critical document called a Blueprint for a Co-operative Decade will be finalised at the Summit. It will be unveiled by the ICA at the concluding event of the IYC in Manchester, Co-operatives United, in three weeks time.

Imagine 2012: All co-operatives can make one small change

AnthonyMurray — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 17:43:41 +0000

Co-operatives can do one simple thing to change the economic system, according to a speaker at the Imagine conference.

The economic event taking place in Quebec City heard from Dr Ronald Colman, who told delegates on Sunday that co-operative leaders can take this one piece of advice away from the conference and act immediately.

Dr Colman said co-operatives are in a new paradigm; and the movement can help enact change globally: "Co-ops are one of those rare institutions that is planting the seeds of the new economy. Co-ops are potentially one of our best hopes, if change does not happen in the co-op movement then where else are we likely to find it?"

During his presentation on 'What is progress and how can we manage it', Dr Colman believes co-operatives can start a new form of financial reporting. "An accounting system that begins with social, economic and environmental impacts," according to the founder and executive director of GPI Atlantic, a non-profit research group dedicated to developing comprehensive accounts and measures of wellbeing and sustainable development.

GPI Atlantic has constructed a full Genuine Progress Index for Nova Scotia, Canada (www.gpiatlantic.org); and Dr Colman appealed for co-operators to use this system for their needs.

He said: "Everyone has a set of annual financial reports, and they all follow an accounting system that is no different to the very accounting system that got us into the mess we're in today. So, if we can take this one little thing we can begin to make a change.

"If co-ops worldwide can begin to structure their financial reports to take into account environmental, social and economical costs, then that can bring change."

Dr Colman, who is currently working on bringing these measures of natural, human and social capital into Bhutan’s National Accounts, argued that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) just reported the money spent; and did not take into account the "invisible" human, social and ecological costs made through consumer decision.

He cited examples such as the transportation of butter from New Zealand to Chile reported no real costs since "greenhouse gas emissions are invisible". Such actions also send inaccurate signals to policy makers, as well as the public, said Dr Colman.

He added: "We currently measure how well-off we are as a society by how fast the economy is growing. The growing economy is being called robust and healthy, but this sends misleading signals to policy makers.

"The more trees we cut down and the more we deplete our fish stocks, the more our economy will grow. The more fossils we burn, the better our economy. It makes no distinction between activities that create benefit and those that cause harm, such as crime, sickness, pollution, war, cigarette sales, junk food, natural disasters."

Dr Colman believes co-operatives can do better: "This is not an appropriate accounting system for co-operatives. There is a reason co-ops are grown as such and we do our own members a disservice through the adoption of a standard accounting system.

"We need a set of accounts that include human capital, health, education. If we make an investment in cleaning up a polluted river, we should report that.

"In our accounts, there are measures of value, as well as measures of progress. We measure reductions in poverty, reductions in equity, reductions in crime as gains."

Dr Colman said co-operatives need to adopt three basic principles when constructing financial reports:

• Internalise externalities, explained Dr Colman: "So if you give your workers time off to do volunteer look at the work, if you see recycled paper you use that as a benefit. All of these things are measurable. If you stop serving water in plastic bottles and use jugs, you should include that. Look at the social, human and environmental externalities."

• "Recognise the economic values of non-market service," said Dr Colman. "So volunteer work and unpaid work inside the household should be reported, even though it's not part of the flow of money." He cited a study in Denmark that showed the Dutch unemployment rate was reduced by making part-time work more attractive and creating equal benefits compared to full-time workers. Added Dr Colman: "More jobs were created, and the Dutch have one of the highest rates of productivity."

• The third basic principle is to shift from fixed to variable costs. Dr Colman explained that while annual insurance may be paid for a car, the emission of the vehicle and number of miles driven needs to be reported. If an organisation offers free parking, it should instead charge for parking and offer incentives for car pooling.

Dr Colman encouraged delegates to look at case studies and other examples through his website (www.gpiatlantic.org); and told co-operators around the world to connect with the team behind GPI. He said that if there is any one institution to make this change and create hope, then co-operatives are best placed to carry this out. He closed by saying: "You could be a powerful force in this new paradigm."

Imagine 2012: Opening session sets agenda of co-operative economics

AnthonyMurray — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 00:09:15 +0000

A conference that brings together economic leaders of co-operative businesses around the world has opened in Quebec.

Imagine 2012 is focusing on the co-operative economy with a number of academics and economists from around the world.

Monique Leroux, President and CEO of Desjardins, opened the conference as co-host alongside Dame Pauline Green, President of the International Co-operative Alliance.

Imagine is the pre-conference to the 2012 International Summit of Cooperatives, which is organised by Desjardins.

Ms Leroux told delegates: “We live in difficult times, difficult for government, difficult for business and difficult for people. We need to get back on track, more jobs, more innovation and more businesses need to invest, expand and think long term for people and society.

“Co-operatives are efficient and customer focused business, what makes them distinctive is that they are based on the associations of people. They put people first. They are not just there to make money, but to bring essential services to people.

“I believe that a strong and expanding co-op sector is a little part of a balanced economy. Co-operatives have a solid track record of success and many advantages.”

In summing up her speech, Ms Leroux asked a series of questions and said these issues will be discussed during the Imagine and International Summit conferences: “Why isn't the co-operative sector a bigger part of our economies? Why aren't there more larger co-operative businesses? Why is co-operation more likely to be studied on sociology programmes rather than business management programmes?”

Following Monique Leroux, Dame Pauline addressed the conference with a thought about the popularity of co-operatives: “When you think we employ 100 million people around the world, who is it that doesn't know the co-op movement is a key part of the global economy.

“We want a diversification of the global economy; and we want our people-owned businesses to be a part of this. We are serving the needs of ordinary folk and businesses around the world, when so many financial institutions have let them down.

“We have to move public opinion, and decision makers’ opinions, that we are not fluffy little businesses and get the recognition we deserve.”

Dame Pauline told delegates that the messages coming out of the conference need to be heard by the United Nations at its International Year closing ceremony in November. The outcome of the conference will also play its part in the ICA’s Blueprint for a Co-operative Decade, which will be discussed at the General Assembly on October 31 during Co-operatives United in Manchester.

Dr Colin Dodds, President of St Mary’s University, organiser of the conference, welcomed delegates to the Quebec City Convention Centre. He said: “Our values are key to our future. We have great opportunities for the future. The co-op model offers that alternative; the focus on people, the focus on democracy, and also offers the focus on respect.

Putting these together, then this is our movement. We have a powerful force for the future, a powerful business model. We have a model for a sustainable, global economy, built on people.

“We are here to look at ideas for the future, in the end it is our future and certainly owe it to our future and those of our children's and grandchildren.”

Imagine 2012: The Press Conference

AnthonyMurray — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 22:50:12 +0000

A week of co-operative conferences and meetings in Quebec has been launched at a press conference this evening.

Imagine 2012, the international conference on co-operative economics, is the pre-event to the 2012 International Summit of Cooperatives, which launches on Monday evening.

Dame Pauline Green, President of the International Co-operative Alliance, opened the event’s press conference at the Convention Centre, Quebec City.

Dame Pauline said: “This is the beginning of a very exciting week. I am delighted to be taking part in the opening of Imagine. In this International Year there has never been a greater need for an emphasis on the co-operative model. It’s critical we get this message out. It's a moment of great opportunity for this movement of ours.

“This is going to be a great week, we are going to make a difference this week. We need to get the big message out, we're about the real economy when the big banks and others have failed them.”

Organised by St Mary's University, which runs the Master of Management Co-operatives and Credit Unions program, the two-day conference has an agenda of academic papers and discussion.

Imagine Manager and St Mary's Program Manager Tom Webb said: “Co-ops are uniquely placed to meet human need. We are here to look at the economy from a co-operative perspective. “Over next couple of days that's what we are going to do. I Hope it'll be thought provoking and hopefully people will have a lot of questions as well as answers at the end.”

The institution's President Colin Dodds said at the press conference that he wants delegates to share ideas and discuss best practice. He added that delegates should think that “we don't just live in an interesting, but dangerous world. In that sense co-ops have a lot to offer.”

Imagine 2012: Saturday – Co-operators come to Canada

Emily Barker — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 15:05:18 +0000

Quebec City, Canada, will become a hot bed of co-operation for the following seven days, as thousands of co-operators and co-op leaders descend on the city for two of the biggest co-op events of the year.

Imagine 2012, which starts today until Monday, is the official pre-event to the 2012 International Summit of Cooperatives that will take place between 8 – 11 October.

Imagine 2012 is the economic co-operative conference and will bring together co-op leaders and leading economic thinkers to explore what a global economy that meets people’s needs would look like, as opposed to the investor-driven economy that currently dominates.

The conference will have 15 internationally recognised speakers over the three days.

Today, the conference will start at 7pm. It will be hosted by: Colin Dodds, President of Saint Mary’s University, Monique Leroux, CEO, Desjardins and Dame Pauline Green, President, International Co-operative Alliance.

Extending a welcome to delegates, Dr Dodds said: "Saint Mary’s University is very pleased to be partnering with Desjardins Group and the International Co-operative Alliance by holding its 'Imagine 2012: International Conference on Co-operative Economics' in Quebec City.

"During the United Nations’ International Year of Cooperatives, the summit and Imagine 2012 are the two must-attend events for
co-operators concerned about the global economy.

"By exploring new approaches to economics more in line with the needs of people and communities, Imagine 2012 will be a generator of innovative ideas in the area of sustainable economic development for the decisionmakers attending the summit.

"Looking at the economy through a co-operative and mutual lens can only contribute to sustainable prosperity and create
a better world."

At 7.30 Tom Webb, Imagine 2012 Conference manager, will talk on ‘Why are we here?’ Mr Webb sums up the two co-op events by saying: “Imagine the global influence of a widespread understanding of economics focused on meeting human needs sustainably, not just on wealth creation. Imagine world-class economists mingling with leaders of the world’s ninth largest economy [“Co-op Nation”] to shape better approaches to understanding and analysing local, national and global economics.”

“Imagine this group of leaders coming together to identify ways to use the co-operative business model to build a better world.”

Mr Webb will be followed by economist, professor and the Vice director of the Bologna Centre, Stefano Zamagni and Managing Director of Co-operative Management Education at Saint Mary’s University, Karen Miner. They will pose the question: ‘Why did co-operatives disappear from economic thought?’

The day will finish with a reception that will go on until 10pm.