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Press release from the International Summit of Cooperatives

From October 11 to 13, 2016, top experts and thousands of executives, decision-makers, managers and leaders from the cooperative community and other sectors will be converging on the Quebec City Convention Centre, in Canada, for the third edition of the International Summit of Cooperatives, an initiative of the Desjardins Group and the International Co-operative Alliance.

This year, the Summit is highlighting “cooperatives’ power to act,” a key instrument for sustainable development. Recognized for its contribution to the betterment of communities, the cooperative model contributes just as much to global prosperity; the 2.6 million cooperatives and mutuals with 1 billion members worldwide generate US$3 trillion annually and some 250 million direct and indirect jobs. The world’s 300 largest cooperatives alone produce combined turnover equal to Canada’s GDP. The vital forces of the cooperative community from 103 countries will therefore create fertile ground for discussions on sustainable growth.

210 speakers, including the top five distinguished economic thinkers

While growth is marked by profound changes, five leading experts will share their insights on the new global socioeconomic and geopolitical realities. Joseph Stiglitz, professor at Columbia University in the City of New York and winner of the 2001 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, Jeremy Rifkin, American prospective essayist, Robert Reich, professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and prominent opinion leader, Mark Kramer, founder and managing director of the FSG consulting firm in Boston, and Navi Radjou, eminent innovation and leadership advisor based in California, will discuss the major issues of the 21st century and the business models most conducive to global prosperity. More than 200 internationally renowned speakers will address the specific challenges faced by cooperatives and mutuals, and will propose concrete solutions to strengthen their role as the vector for social and economic change.

Four main themes, hundreds of topics

Summit communications will focus on four main themes, which will guide the various forums, conferences, round tables, workshops and sectoral meetings.

Acknowledging global socioeconomic and geopolitical trends and challenges will take stock of the global situation by tackling topics, such as growing inequalities, weakening real economies, the employment crisis, innovation and the emergence of the collaborative economy.

Increasing the capacity to act will discuss ways of mastering new business realities, such as the innovation culture, work in the digital era, the use of Big Data, access to capital, talent management and commitment to the community.

Expanding economic power will enable cooperative enterprises to come together and discuss business opportunities and challenges specific to their industry.

Cooperatives in action will be an opportunity to take part in the largest brainstorming session on the Sustainable Development Goals established by the UN. Various workshops will give participants a chance to propose ideas to address the challenges associated with food security, employment crisis, access to health care and social services, poverty and financial inclusion, climate change and sustainable development.

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Click here for a French version of this article or here for a Spanish version.

What is the relation between the movement of coooperatives and the movement for a culture of peace?

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64 inspiring scientific projects

On October 10 and 11, members of the scientific community from diverse backgrounds will be presenting their findings and thoughts on the power of action and the impacts of cooperatives and mutuals. These 64 research projects will be discussed by professionals from the cooperative community. This formula, linking research and practice, will provide for a dynamic and practical delivery of the authors’ work.

14 insightful studies

The Summit also offers an exceptional opportunity for participants to access exclusive information targeted specifically at cooperatives and mutuals. The results of the most recent studies on the situation of cooperatives around the world and on the most effective practices will be presented during sectoral meetings and conferences by leading experts.

More than 50 specialized activities

Alongside regular programming, the Rendez-vous give members of cooperatives, mutuals, cooperative associations and local organizations an opportunity to attend working, information or training sessions, typically by invitation. In addition to these meetings, there are also three pre-Summit activities that bring together select organizations for discussions of hot topics, namely improved efficiency and visibility of cooperatives, international development, and reconstruction after a natural disaster. Some of the 30 or so events will be open to all Summit participants.

A program for young leaders aged 20 to 35

To keep the power of cooperatives going strong, the Summit also focusses on succession. As part of the Young Leaders Program, young cooperators from around the world aged 20 to 35 will have an opportunity to meet with top executives from the cooperative community and representatives of international organizations, such as the UN and WHO, in order to learn about best practices that guide cooperatives and mutuals. These meetings, combined with the many conferences and discussions, will familiarize them with the essential role that cooperatives and mutuals play in implementing sustainable economic development strategies.

For further information on Summit activities and to register, visit: www.intlsummit.coop.

About the International Summit of Cooperatives

The International Summit of Cooperatives is the world’s leading event for business development in the cooperative and mutual community. It offers managers, decision-makers and leaders of cooperative and mutual enterprises of all size and in all sectors, as well as anyone in the world of business, a unique venue for reflection, discussion, cooperation and training on major trends, as well as on current and future economic and financial issues. By demonstrating that the cooperative business model is one answer to the major socioeconomic issues of our times, the Summit aims to promote and foster the development of cooperative enterprises in all countries. The event attracts more than 2,500 participants from 103 countries.

Marie-Josée Gauvin, International Summit of Cooperatives
+ 1 514-845-8222, ext. 222 – media@intlsummit.coop

Jan Schiettecatte, International Co-operative Alliance
+ 32 2 743 10 30 Mobile: + 32 478 84 51 30 – schiettecatte@ica.coop

(Thank you to the Good News Agency for sending us this article.)

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A book review from BC Book Look (abbreviated)

The Sole Food Street Farms initiative in Vancouver has been described by its innovators as North America’s largest urban farm project, boasting an annual yield of 50,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables from five paved sites, 4.5 acres in total, employing 75 people from 2009.

It all happens amid the asphalt and squalor of the Lower Track of Canada’s most expensive city (the urban area near Main and Hastings is not called the Downtown Eastside anymore).

Dr. Gabor Maté calls it “a great antidote to pessimism.”

Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson says, “It’s an ingenious use of space that has been vacant or otherwise discarded.”

During the program’s seventh growing season, co-founder and director Michael Ableman has published Street Farm: Growing Food, Jobs, and Hope on the Urban Frontier (Chelsea Green Publishing $33.20) to celebrate an initiative that he says operates on a scale unprecedented in North America.

A book launch with high profile chefs at Main & Terminal will be held on October 6, emceed by Fred Lee. Entry is $175 per person.

According to publicity materials, Sole Food pays $300,000 in annual wages to employees including 25 individuals dealing with drug addiction and mental illness.

“If you stretch your concept of what a family is, move beyond the stereotype of Mom, Dad and the kids,” said Ableman, “and you could say that the Sole Food farms and the community of farmers and eaters that rely on us are just that—a family. And for many of our staff, this family may be the only one they have ever had.”

All crops are grown in soilfilled growing boxes. It is claimed the overall yield for this growing system is 15 to 25 times higher than conventional “open field” growing systems. . .

(Thank you to Janet Hudgins, the CPNN reporter for this article.)

What is the relation between movements for food sovereignty and the global movement for a culture of peace?

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A blog by Brad Sewell, Natural Resources Defense Council

President Obama made history today [September 15]. He established the nation’s first marine national monument in the waters of the continental United States: the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, located about 150 miles of the coast of Cape Cod. The monument will forever protect the rich diversity of marine wildlife that inhabits these undersea canyons and seamounts from harmful commercial activities, like mining, drilling, and fishing. It will build a reservoir of ecological resilience in the region, helping to protect and restore fish and other wildlife populations and to minimize the impacts of climate change and ocean acidification. 

Map of Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. Credit: The Pew Charitable Trusts

What the President has done is epic. He has permanently protected a highly vulnerable ecosystem roughly the size of Connecticut, creating a “blue park” right off our most populous coastline. And he increased by twenty times the amount of ocean habitat in federal waters of the continental U.S. that has this sort of complete protection.

And what an ocean gem the canyons and seamounts are! As the science shows, America’s newest monument is exceptional for its diverse and abundant deep sea corals—73 different species in all, and for its marine mammals, like squid-eating sperm and beaked whales, as well as its seabirds and sea turtles. And, of course, fish also abound here, from bizarre deep sea species that you’ve never heard of to those kings of the food chain: sharks, tunas, and swordfish.

The monument encompasses three submarine canyons, Oceanographer, Gilbert, and Lydonia. They are exceptionally large and plunge deeper than the Grand Canyon. The canyons contain particularly abundant and diverse coral colonies and have a rich history of scientific exploration.

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If we can connect up the planet through Internet, can’t we agree to preserve the planet?

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The four seamounts, Physalia, Bear, Retriever, and Mytilus, are the only ones in the U.S. Atlantic. They rise up through the water column and function like ocean oases in the deep sea. The monument covers nine different major, interconnected habitat types, from the continental shelf edge down to the abyssal plain. Because of this mosaic of habitats, and the complex geologic features and current patterns, the area is a biologic hotspot, providing food, shelter and nursery habitat for many species. This will benefit wildlife populations in the region as a whole, including commercially valuable fish and crustacean species. 

Short videos featuring the canyons and seamounts and their wildlife can be seen here and here.

If we are going to protect and restore our oceans, and rely on them as a source of food and enjoyment even as pressures and threats mount, the type of bold, trailblazing action that the President took today is exactly what we need. In particular, we need to build ecological resilience and protect genetic diversity to insulate marine populations against climate change and ocean acidification. With New England ocean waters already undergoing some of the greatest temperature increases on the planet, this action is none too soon. Last week, the nations and organizations at the IUCN World Conservation Congress urged world leaders to protect 30% of the planet’s oceans by 2030. The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument is an excellent step in answering this call. 

So, Mr. President, thank you!  

And a huge thanks as well to Senator Blumenthal and the Connecticut Congressional delegation for being steadfast champions of the monument.

Finally, the designation would not have happened but for the outpouring of support from a broad and diverse coalition. Over the last year, 300,000 citizens have voiced support to the Administration. They have been joined by Mystic and New England Aquariums, along with a host of other aquarium and marine institutions, over 145 scientists, 100 New England businesses, dozens of state and federal elected officials, dozens of state and national religious groups, fishermen, marine mammal research groups and whale watch operators, dive groups, and conservation organizations. 

A day to celebrate indeed!

(Thank you to Janet Hudgins, the CPNN reporter for this article)

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An article by Amy Goodman and Denis Moynihan from Democracy Now (reprinted under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works)

The Missouri River, the longest river in North America, has for thousands of years provided the water necessary for life to the region’s original inhabitants. To this day, millions of people rely on the Missouri for clean drinking water. Now, a petroleum pipeline, called the Dakota Access Pipeline, is being built, threatening the river. A movement has grown to block the pipeline, led by Native American tribes that have lived along the banks of the Missouri from time immemorial. Members of the Dakota and Lakota nations from the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation established a camp at the confluence of the Missouri and Cannonball rivers, about 50 miles south of Bismarck, North Dakota. They declare themselves “protectors, not protesters.” Last Saturday, as they attempted to face down massive bulldozers on their ancient burial sites, the pipeline security guards attacked the mostly Native American protectors with dogs and pepper spray as they resisted the $3.8 billion pipeline’s construction, fighting for clean water, protection of sacred ground and an end to our fossil-fuel economy.

Video at Standing Rock

Standing Rock Sioux set up the first resistance encampment in April, calling it Sacred Stone. Now there are four camps with more than 1,000 people, mostly from Native American tribes in the U.S. and Canada. “Water is Life” is the mantra of this nonviolent struggle against the pipeline that is being built to carry crude oil from the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota to Illinois.

Saturday was a beautiful, sunny day. Together with Laura Gottesdiener and John Hamilton of “Democracy Now!,” we spent the morning filming interviews. That afternoon, delegations walked down the road to plant their tribal flags in the path of the proposed pipeline. Many were shocked to see large bulldozers actively carving up the land on Labor Day weekend.

Hundreds of people, mostly Native Americans, lined the route, yelling for the destruction to stop. A group of women began shaking the ranch fencing, and without much effort it fell over. The land defenders began pouring through. Several young men from the camp arrived on horseback.

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Questions for this article

Indigenous peoples, Are they the true guardians of nature?

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The bulldozers retreated, but the security guards attempted to repel the land defenders, unleashing at least half a dozen vicious dogs, who bit both people and horses. One dog had blood dripping from its mouth and nose. Undeterred, the dog’s handler continued to push the dog into the crowd. The guards pepper-sprayed the protesters, punched and tackled them. Vicious dogs like mastiffs have been used to attack indigenous peoples in the Americas since the time of Christopher Columbus and the Spanish conquistadors who followed him. In the end, the violent Dakota Access guards were forced back.

This section of the pipeline path contained archeological sites, including Lakota/Dakota burial grounds. The tribe had supplied the locations of the sites in a court filing just the day before, seeking a temporary halt to construction to fully investigate them. With those locations in hand, the Dakota Access Pipeline crew literally plowed ahead. Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Chairman David Archambault told us on the “Democracy Now!” news hour: “They were using the dogs as a deadly weapon. … They knew something was going to happen when they leapfrogged over 15 miles of undisturbed land to destroy our sacred sites … they were prepared. They hired a company that had guard dogs, and then they came in, and then they waited. And it was —by the time we saw what was going on, it was too late. Everything was destroyed. They desecrated our ancestral gravesites. They just destroyed prayer sites.”

At the camp, we interviewed Winona LaDuke, an Ojibwe leader from the White Earth Nation in northern Minnesota. She recently led a campaign that succeeded in blocking another pipeline that threatened the White Earth’s territory. She commented on North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple’s support of suppression of the Standing Rock protests: “You are not George Wallace, and this is not Alabama. This is 2016, and you don’t get to treat Indians like you have for those last hundred years. We’re done.”

The battle against the Dakota Access Pipeline is being waged as a renewed assertion of indigenous rights and sovereignty, as a fight to protect clean water, but, most importantly, as part of the global struggle to combat climate change and break from dependence on fossil fuels. At the Sacred Stone, Red Warrior and other camps at the confluence of the Missouri and Cannonball rivers, the protectors are there to stay, and their numbers are growing daily.