It’s already shaping up to be a busy year for the UK co-op movement, with two important conferences set for this month.
Co-operative Futures
On Friday-Saturday 7-8 February, Co-operative Futures hosts 20/20 Vision, where co-operators will be asked to look at the next two decades of the co-op movement – with a special emphasis on young co-operators.
The event poses a series of questions:
- What’s going to happen in the next 20 years?
- What’s going to happen to internationalism and co-operation in the 20 years following Brexit?
- What do co-operators in their 20s want to happen?
The event starts at 5pm on 7 February, with a review of the last 20 years of the movement, followed by dinner, drinks, birthday cake and quiz.
The following day will ask what the world will look like in 2040, with experts discussing the effects of climate change, IT developments, artificial intelligence and the demographics of society will affect the future.
Next – with the even promising to put younger members of the movement “in the driving seat”, co-operators in their 20s will share their hopes and aspirations for the next 20 years, with the rest of the day dedicated to “working out what we can do to bring about the future they want”.
The event, at the Beeches, Bournville, near Birmingham, is open to supporters, members, board members or executives of co-ops of any form. For details of price and accommodation, and to book, click here.
Co-operative Retail Conference
From Friday 28 February to Sunday 1 March, the Co-operative Retail Conference, organised by Co-operatives UK, will look at how the sector can move forward in a tough economic climate, with a fast-changing retail landscape and continued Brexit uncertainty.
Sessions include Rhian Thomas, from industry analysts IGD, on how co-op retailers can keep pace with the British shopper as consumers become more health and environmentally conscious.
Andrew Mac, from wholefoods co-op Suma, will look at the how co-op retailers can adapt to the growing demand for plant-based diets and refill stations.
Michael Fletcher, commercial director at the Co-op Group, will look at local and ethical sourcing as a way of demonstrating the co-op difference, to demonstrate how, as ethical retailers, they do more for their communities.
There will also be sessions on the future of membership as markets become more competitive and the growth of digital alters the landscape, with Chris Matthews from East of England Co-op and Melody Aguero from Midcounties, and on employee engagement and motivation.
Looking overseas, Nick Matthews from Co-operatives UK and Peter Hunt from Mutuo will look at the work of Consumer Co-operatives Worldwide (CCW), which represents28 national consumer co-op networks around the world. CCW is undertaking work to assess regulatory, legislative and policy barriers for co-operatives.
Click here for more details and booking for the event, held at De Vere Cranage Estate in Holmes Chapel, Cheshire.
