Co-operatives: Can Do, Will Do, Must Do

2017 Network Dinner and a Seminar

22nd & 23rd November 2017

Co-operatives are people with a can-do attitude, determined to make a difference and get things done. In the face of the growing complexity of our geographies, politics and trading environments, co-operatives must continue to do business in a co-operative way to ensure that we “create a world of dignity and opportunity for all”.

Thank you to all delegates, speakers and supporters of our two-days events! In particular thank you to our sponsors the Building Change Trust and the Co-operative Group.

Watch the Seminar videos and get an insight into the important role that the Co-operative Movement plays in Northern Ireland.

Click here for Seminar Programme Final

Speakers & Presentations

	Key Speaker – Ed Mayo General Secretary of Co-operatives UKEd Mayo, General Secretary of Co-operatives UK was our key speaker at this event.Ed said: “There are changes coming in Northern Ireland that make it vital that co-operatives and their partners have their voice heard in terms of Economic Development to meet the needs of the sector. “Northern Ireland ranks high in terms of co-operative values. Whenever you have co-ops working and generating economic value to a region it drives greater equality and participation and is a model of an inclusive economy.
	Keith Forster Senior Strategic Policy Officer at the Department for the Economy NI.Keith Forster said that “Co-ops would have an important role to play in Northern Ireland’s economic future: Inclusivity and encouraging collaboration is a prominent feature of our Industrial Strategy. We need to broaden our approach. We need companies to invest in Research and Development. I think it will require significant collaboration and co-operation to drive economic growth across the whole of Northern Ireland.”Keith Forster’s presentation DfE presentation – Co-operatives event
	Leah Thompson Economic Development Officer at the Belfast City Council Leah Thompson, Belfast City Council Economic Development Officer, said the social enterprise and co-operative sectors will play an important role in the city plans to create jobs and improve living standards within the city. “Increasing the number of co-ops can help address social issues, increase quality of life and create sustainable employment,” she added. Leah Thompson’s presentation BCCPresentation.final

Presentations from local co-operatives

	Drumlin Wind Energy Co-operative Anne Ford, Chair Drumlin Presentation 23 Nov 2017 www.drumlin.coop
	Creative Workers Co-operative Clem Bradley, Founder Member www.creativeworkerscooperative.com
	Co-Housing Northern Ireland Joanna McMinn, Founder Member www.cohousingni.org
	Raglan Community Development Renovation Society William Millar, Secretary www.theraglan.org
	Loveworks Workers Co-operative Richard Higginson, Founder Member https://loveworkscoop.com/

If you have any questions, please contact us on tiziana@coopalternatives.coop

Do you remember last year’s event “This is what a co-operative looks like” in Stormont?
If not, you can get a quick overview in this podcast prepared by Northern Vision TV.