Summit to explore a co-op response to global challenges

19 Jun 2013

​The second International Summit of Cooperatives will be focussing on how co-operatives are a solution to the issues and challenges facing the world.

Key themes at the event, co-organised by the International Co-operative Alliance and Desjardins Group, will focus on how co-operatives are a resilient model that have a long-term management vision; incorporate sustainable development into their business models and create economic and financial spinoffs for their communities, boosting local standards of living.

Due to take place on 6-9 October 2014, the business event will gather high-level politicians as well as representatives of the global co-operative movement, academics and delegates from major international organisations.

Delegates will examine the role of co-operatives in helping to address food security, access to health care and health services and the global job crisis. They will also engage in an active debate on co-operative development, assessing the best ways to grow the co-operative movement.

The theoretical framework for discussion will be provided by international studies that will be unveiled at the Summit. Following on from the previous Summit, there will be a call for papers on the events themes.

The Summit will feature a number of side events focusing on other themes specific to co-operative enterprises. Various activities have also been planned for future leaders as part of the Future Cooperative Leaders Program.

An International Expo of Cooperatives will be held during the Summit to help stimulate business development and inter-co-operation, opening new markets for co-operative enterprises. The 'World Co-operative Exhibition' will be the world’s largest trade show for co-operatives, giving co-ops from across the world the chance to showcase their products and services.

Director-General of the ICA, Charles Gould, said: “The International Year of Cooperatives and the first International Summit of Cooperatives were unprecedented opportunities to boost our name recognition and visibility in the global business community. We must build on the success of these two events by capitalising on the unity, trust, and enthusiasm they generated.”

Referring to last year’s Summit, Stéphane Bertrand, Executive Director of the Summit, said: “The first edition was an outstanding success, it was truly more than we have hoped for." He added 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.”

Last year’s summit also resulted in a declaration that helped to shape the Blueprint for a Co-operative Decade. Building on the success of last year’s Summit, the 2014 edition aims to grow the movement, taking the co-operative way of doing business to a new level.