Co-op News (August 2019)

More documents

Recommendations

Info

RWANDA Co-operative development global conference opens for registration Registration is open for the Co-operatives for Development Global Conference in Kigali, Rwanda (14-17 October). The global event is organised by the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) under the auspices of the government of the Republic of Rwanda, with the support of the Rwandan’ co-op movement. It will see co-ops share their experiences in sustainable development, and celebrate their vital contribution to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Alongside co-operators from around the world, the four-day event will bring together civil society actors, development agencies, policy makers, institutional partners, government officials, representatives from international and regional organisations, researchers, and others concerned with development. Themes explored over the four days include female empowerment, preservation of the environment, eradication of hunger and poverty, decent work, ethical value chains, affordable housing, and equality and peace. Delegates will be welcomed to the conference by Ariel Guarco, president of the ICA, and Hon Soraya Hakuziyaremeye, Rwanda’s minister of trade and Industry. Among the keynote speakers is environmental activist Dr Vandana Shiva, who will talk about how co-ops can help to achieve a more solidaritybased and participatory society. Delegates will also hear from president Paul Kagame, Japheth Magomere (ICA-Africa president) and Augustin Katabarwa, (president of the National Cooperative Confederation of Rwanda), among others. The ICA General Assembly (for ICA members only) takes place on Thursday afternoon, with the conference ending that evening with a gala dinner where the Rochdale Pioneer Awards winners will be announced. This recognises, in the spirit of the contribution of the Rochdale Pioneers, an individual or p Dr Vandana Shiva organisation who has contributed to innovative and financially sustainable co-operative activities that have significantly benefited co-op members. u More information and the provisional programme is available at kigali2019. coop. Registration for the event is open at register.kigali2019.coop EUROPE Agri-co-ops take their sustainability story to MEPs to win support for the sector European agri co-ops have launched a campaign to showcase the sector’s role in meeting the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The campaign, launched on the International Day of Co-operatives (6 July), will see sector body Copa-Cogeca showcase 100 success stories on its new online platform, and use the hashtag #17Reasons2Coop on social media to highlight the work of co-ops, as a new political cycle starts in Brussels. Cogeca president Thomas Magnusson said: “I have noticed in exchanges with EU stakeholders that examples are better than long speeches. In a time of permanent agri-bashing, it is time to show that our rural areas are creative and resilient and this is thanks to agri co-operatives. We benefit our farmer owners, we champion our employees, we work to understand and satisfy our customers, consumers and society. We innovate, invest and work on long-term sustainable projects.” Welcoming the move, EU agriculture commissioner Phil Hogan said agri-co-ops are “successful businesses that unite farmers around common economic, social and environmental goals”. Mr Hogan sent a video message to Copa- Cogeca to congratulate the sector on the International Day of Co-operatives. He said: “This wonderful occasion is an important opportunity to highlight how European agri co-ops benefit farmers, our rural economies and our consumers. The commissioner said he believes co-ops are the backbone of rural areas, helping to create and sustain quality employment and viable communities. He added: “They support our farmers in improving their production and position in the food supply chain, ensuring fair incomes and long-term investments.” MEP Paolo De Castro, who was recently re-elected to the Agriculture Committee, also praised agri co-ops. “It is essential to recognise the role of agri co-operatives that guarantee incomes to our farmers while being protagonists in supporting the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” he said. u Visit www.17reasons2coop.eu to see the Copa-Cogeca campaign 16 | AUGUST 2019
SWEDEN New governance code for co-operatives in Sweden Sweden’s apex body for co-ops has published a governance code for co-operative and mutual enterprises. Adoption of the code is voluntary but once adopted, it becomes binding. It provides guidelines for the governance of co-operative and mutual enterprises based on ethical values and principles. The code aims to promote member dialogue and democratic decision-making in modern co-operative and mutual enterprises, and to increase transparency and openness at board level. The code is based on the principle of comply and explain, which means those adopting it must explain how they comply with its principles and report on their implementation. It is particularly aimed at large co-ops and mutuals. However, according to Co-op Sweden, smaller co-ops should also be able to comply with some parts of the code. Tommy Ohlström, chair of Co-operatives Sweden, says the code helps to explain the specificity of the co-op enterprise model, which places members at the heart of the business. “We’re proud that we’re now increasing transparency even further and making it even clearer to our members and the world around us how co-operative and mutual enterprises actually function. The new code is a consolidating document that explains and clarifies the special features and business logic of co-op and mutual enterprises,” said Mr Ohlström. The governance code is based on the following principles: • business objectives benefit members and follow their wishes • openness, transparency, democracy • members participate in the business • general meetings where members can exercise rights and be informed • election committee to ensure transparency and safeguard interests of enterprise and members • competent, independent board of directors to establish framework and processes for risk management and internal control • guidelines for remuneration, terms and conditions for senior executives • framework and processes for risk management and internal control “This form of enterprise is now being framed even more clearly through the newly established code, which is designed to ensure transparency,” said Mr Ohlström, adding that he hoped the code would contribute to global efforts to raise awareness about the model. With a turnover of more than SEK 400bn (£34.08bn) and 100,000 employees, the 100 largest co-operative and mutual enterprises account for a significant share of the labour market and social economy in Sweden. GLOBAL Woccu credit card scheme will fund global financial inclusion The Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions has launched a credit card programme to fund its financial inclusion projects across the world. The foundation – the international charitable arm of World Council of Credit Union (Woccu) – launched the Global Good Card in 2017 in partnership with Summit Credit Union in Madison, Wisconsin. Other credit unions can now offer the card, and are sharing success stories from various Woccu projects around the world. “A percentage of each purchase made with the card benefits Woccu development projects,” said the foundation’s executive director Mike Reuter. “Our mantra is ‘Do Good. Do Global Good.’ “Credit union members who use a Global Good Card will be a part of that by contributing to people’s financial empowerment through the movement.” Mr Reuter added that any credit union is able to join the scheme. “A credit union can integrate it as it would any new card programme, or one that replaces an existing card,” he said. Since 2017, Summit Credit Union has issued 2,000 Do Global Good cards, helping to generate more than US $51,000 (£40,568) in support of the Worldwide Foundation. It donates $10 (£7.95) for each Global Good Card opened and 15% of all interchange fees on purchases made with the card. Members can make additional cash donations to the foundation via their reward points. Summit charges no annual fee for the card and offers members the same benefits as with its existing Visa Platinum Rewards card. The foundation has also partnered with Ser Tech, which will help credit unions to market the Global Good Card to members. It expects the card to be particularly popular among socially minded millennials. AUGUST 2019 | 17
Page 1 and 2: AUGUST 2019 CO-OP CULTURE What is i
Page 3 and 4: Why is co-operative culture importa
Page 5 and 6: NEWS RETAIL Campaign urges UK gover
Page 7 and 8: RETAIL GMB union slams John Lewis t
Page 9 and 10: CO-OP GROUP Co-op Food is a top sup
Page 11 and 12: DEVELOPMENT EU puts £3m into Welsh
Page 13 and 14: OBITUARY Radical Routes loses two o
Page 15: REI enters the newspaper trade to s
Page 19 and 20: USA A Green New Deal ‘can help el
Page 21 and 22: YOUR VIEWS DEFENCE OF CLAIRE MCCART
Page 23 and 24: 01 Issue #7288 OCT WHAT WHAT WILL C
Page 25 and 26: What would you say have been the Pa
Page 27 and 28: Is there a need to redefine afforda
Page 29 and 30: CO-OP CULTURE & RELIGION BY ANCa VO
Page 31 and 32: prayers most mornings before the st
Page 33 and 34: TEACHING YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT CO-OPER
Page 35 and 36: directions. I thought: ʻI’ve got
Page 37 and 38: In the mid 1990s Italian social co-
Page 39 and 40: The paper also highlights that Desj
Page 41 and 42: us and how we go about delivering o
Page 43 and 44: Legacoop to serve the socialist and
Page 45 and 46: shift the initial losses from worke
Page 47 and 48: As part of its year-long centenary
Page 49 and 50: Ted Howard: Architect of the Clevel
Page 51 and 52: The Fall of the Ethical Bank: how a

Co-op News (August 2019)

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?