Over 400 delegates from more than 60 countries attended this year’s UK Co-op Congress, as part of a week-long celebration of the International Year of Cooperatives. International Cooperative Alliance representatives shared some of the organisation’s main objectives and projects over the course of the event, taking part in a range of panel discussions.
Held in Rochdale, the birthplace of the modern cooperative movement, this year’s Congress featured a range of guest speakers, from actor Steve Coogan and Canadian blogger and author, Cory Doctorow, to columnist Grace Blakely, all of whom highlighted cooperative solutions to address inequality and market failures.
Politicians were also among the speakers, with a keynote by Lucy Powell, the Leader of the House of Commons, who encouraged Congress attendees to contribute to a government call for evidence.
ICA Director General Jeroen Douglas was a panelist at the event, where he offered an overview of the outlook for the global movement.
“This IYC comes together with a tipping point year, 2025 is a transition year when a large geopolitical paradigm shift is taking place,” he said, describing the work CM50, a new group of leaders convened by the ICA. The group is developing a statement it will present at the UN’s Second World Social Summit in Doha.
Douglas also explained that the ICA is building a portal to a suite of solutions, to address the needs of cooperatives, including around access to capital via Coop Exchange. The apex is also aiming to develop a co-op cloud, a cultural heritage programme and a digital marketplace. And it has recently signed a partnership with RegionAgri to support co-op farmers worldwide to adopt smart climate solutions like carbon capturing technology.
Founded in 1895 in London, the ICA is celebrating its 130th anniversary this year.
“I believe the future is bright. We are together building a better world,” said Douglas.
Cooperatives already existed all over the world, explained Jeroen Douglas and cooperative leaders at the time wanted to bring all of them together to have a clear space for education, communication for the entire movement. The ICA also acts as the custodian of the statement of the co-op identity and encourages trade among cooperatives.
ICA Director of Communications Leire Luengo also spoke at the launch of a new report by the UK’s Co-operative Party featuring lessons from global cooperative development. Luengo described the role of the ICA in advocating for cooperative legislation and policies. She provided an overview of the ICA’s structures including its regional and sectoral organisations and thematic committees. She talked about the new CM50 leadership circle and the International Cooperative Think-Tank (ICETT), underlying the importance of intercooperation. Participants were also keen to learn more about a recent ICETT report which highlights member benefits.
ICA President Dr Ariel Guarco also addressed Congress, thanking Co-operatives UK for hosting the event.
“On this occasion, in addition to drawing renewed strength from both the International Year and the International Day of Cooperatives, we also have our annual General Assembly, with a rich and diverse agenda.
“It is participation, open debate, and fraternal exchange that allow our movement to grow and flourish across the globe.
“And I truly celebrate the fact that we are gathered here, in such a meaningful place, at such a crucial and challenging time — honouring our movement’s rich history and reaffirming its value,” he added.
He concluded by encouraging the movement to “move forward with clarity, courage and with conviction”.
The Co-op Congress was part of the Festival of Cooperatives, a week-long celebration taking place in Rochdale and Manchester, with a series of events including the ICA General Assembly, as well as sectoral and thematic ICA meetings. Read more here: https://ica.coop/en/newsroom/news/global-cooperative-celebration-underway-manchester-uk
Watch the sessions here: https://www.youtube.com/@co-operativesuk/videos
The event’s photos are available here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cooperativesuk/albums/72177720327442765/
