Co-operators set to take action on Blueprint in America

26 Sep 2013

​Co-operators in the Americas region will be focusing on the Blueprint for a Co-operative Decade at this month’s regional conference.

Delegates will attend the event in Brazil from 6-11 October, which is hosted by the International Co-operative Alliance’s Americas Region. It is hosted with the National Confederation of Medical Cooperatives of Brazil (UNIMED), the Organization of Brazilian Cooperatives (OCB) and the National Cooperative Learning Service (Sescoop).

As part of the ‘legal framework’ section of the Blueprint, Parliamentarians from across the region will also be encouraged to engage further with the movement. The Blueprint seeks governments and lawmakers to understand the economic and social benefits of the co-operative enterprise model.

The meeting last year adopted a proposal from the Americas region and the Latin American Parliament for the creation of a Network of Parliamentarians to support co-operatives in the region.

Several countries have already constituted their national networks, which include Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay. Also, several dozens of legislators in the continent have directly adhered to the network.

At this year’s meeting, International Co-operative Alliance President, Dame Pauline Green, will give a presentation on the importance of the Blueprint, while underlining the themes of Participation, Sustainability, Identity, Legal Framework and Capital.

During the conference, delegates will have the opportunity to debate individual elements of these themes. Workshops will also look at communication, advocacy and integration.

Following on from the other sessions a debate on co-operative growth and identity will also provide input into the conclusions and recommendations that come out of the event through the Final Declaration.