The biannual global conference of the International Co-operative Alliance has opened in Turkey.
Over 1,000 delegates from 81 countries are taking part in the event at the Pine Beach Hotel in Belek, Antalya. The theme of the conference is linked with the Blueprint for a Co-operative Decade, with the title ‘Towards 2020 – What will your co-operative look like’.
The first two days of the conference includes a number of workshops themed around the five pillars of the Blueprint; sustainability, identity, legal frameworks, capital and participation.
Muammer Niksarli, president of the National Co-operative Union of Turkey, welcomed delegates. He said that following the national elections earlier this month it is now time to take up “unfinished business”, which includes work on establishing a new co-operative law in the country.
Dame Pauline Green, Alliance president, said: “This conference is all about looking forward, what your co-operative will look like in 2020. We are a huge movement impacting on the global economy.”
She added that following this meeting, the Alliance will be taking part in the G20/B20 meetings in Antalya. Dame Pauline also said it was a “testament” to co-operators that over 1,000 people can come to Turkey despite many countries issuing ‘no travel’ warnings.
The Alliance’s general assembly takes place on Friday, where it will elect a new president following the retirement of Dame Pauline Green.
Also on the agenda is a discussion around future themes of the International Day of Co-operatives, the unveiling of a new membership subscription formula and a look at the revised guidance notes of the co-operative principles.
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