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A new form of funding for co-operatives emerges
The Global Development Co-operative was introduced in New York as part of the official launch of the UN International Year of Co-operatives. The innovative co-operative which will provide development funding is being run from the headquarters of The Co-operative Group in Manchester. The co-operative's Stuart Coe spoke to the eDigest about the plans ahead.
Successful co-operatives with growth plans will be able to access a new source of development funding from 2012.
As part of the 2012 International Year of Co-operatives, the Global Development Co-operative (GDC) will be established which will seek to raise $US50 million which it will then lend to co-operative enterprises across the world. read more
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IYC the moment the global co-op movement got its act together?
The Co-operative Group aims to be the most sustainable business in the UK by 2020 paving the way for others to follow, according to its Chief Executive Peter Marks.
Marks took global co-operative leaders in attendance at the ICA-organised leadership sessions in New York on November 1 through the extraordinary transformation of the Co-operative Group from its “flirtation with extinction” in the 2000s through to its strong market position with six million members and annual revenues approaching $US21 billion. read more
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Co-operatives must claim their place on the world stage, Desjardins' Leroux
Co-operatives need to better impose their legitimacy on the world stage, according to Desjardins’ President and Chief Executive Officer Monique Leroux.
Leroux, who was speaking to global co-operative and banking leaders in New York on the occasion of the UN International Year of Co-operatives 2012 launch, said co-operatives were a concrete solution to the major challenges facing the global community – economic challenges, social challenges and environmental challenges.read more
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Global 300 report shows operational and bureaucratic challenges face co-ops
Co-operatives contribute $US1.6 trillion in revenues to the global economy, yet challenges are being faced in terms of banking regulation, commodities price hikes and speculation, as well as climate change, says a new report released as part of the official launch of the International Year of Co-operatives at the United Nations’ headquarters in New York.
Global 300 – a statistical report which paints a picture of the largest co-operatives around the world – will have a new framework and a rigorous research process, under a new partnership initiated by the ICA. read more
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Twelve countries to co-operate on January 12th, 2012?
Now the United Nations has launched the International Year of Co-operatives, how can co-operatives at the national level launch their own plans? One idea that is gathering support started in Canada, with the proposal to run a media launch on January 12th 2012. Whether by issuing a press release or by organising an event, other countries are now being invited to join in, to create a co-operative launch day that rolls across the world. Read more
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ICA Expo is key to the official closing of the IYC, writes Gould
The ICA Expo in Manchester, UK in November 2012 promises to be a not-to-be-missed event. In fact, it is the cornerstone to a series of key events occurring the week of 31 October 2012. Marking ICA’s close to the International Year of Co-operatives, it is designed as the culmination of the activities of the Year. read more
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EU endorses co-operatives as model to realise economic growth
As a dedicatory year is ushered in for co-operatives, the European Union has upheld co-operatives as a necessary and favoured business model to ensure economic growth.
This endorsement of the co-operative business model was part of the EU’s “Agenda for Change” which outlines its plans for development aid. The EU is the world’s largest official donor of development aid, in 2012 spending €53.8 billion, or more than 50 per cent of world aid. read more
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Polish anti-co-op legislation abandoned with help of ICA and Cooperatives Europe
Proposed Polish legislation, which would have seen the demutualisation of the country’s co-operative sector, is dead with the help of the hands-on approach of the ICA.
Pauline Green, ICA President, and Felice Scalvini, Cooperatives Europe president, attended meetings with government ministers in Poland, including the Deputy Prime Minister, in June to argue the case against the two pieces of planned legislation. read more
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Calling all would-be journalists, bloggers and tweeters
The Global News Hub - the online news site tasked with being the publication of record at the ICA's General Assembly - is calling delegates to action.
"In Cancun, the Global News Hub will be collecting all content from the General Assembly with the help of communicators. This is a great way to unify our voice and strengthen the co-operative message," says Anthony Murray, editor of the Global News Hub. read more
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The International Year of Co-operatives should be used by the global co-operative movement to drive home the seriousness of the co-operative business model by elevating the form to equal standing with the stock holder model, says Dame Pauline Green, President of the International Co-operative Alliance.
