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COPAC OPEN FORUMDecent Work: Can Cooperatives make a difference ?28 June 2000 (09:00-12:45), International Labour Office Room II, 4 Route des Morillons, Geneva (Switzerland)Agenda - Abstracts and Texts of Presentations - Synopsis of Proceedings - Related Documents |
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| Panel Presentations | Abstracts / Slides and Text of presentations | |
| Opening | Joe Fazzio, COPAC Chairman and Chief, Coop Branch, International Labour Office ILO | |
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Keynote Address Göran Hultin, Executive Director, Employment Sector, International Labour Office ILO |
Slides of Presentation |
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Opening Remarks Roberto Rodrigues, President, International Co-operative Alliance ICA |
Slides of Presentation |
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Cooperative Employment Trends in the United States During Economic Prosperity Paul Hazen, President and CEO of the National Cooperative Business Association (USA) |
Abstract Slides and Text of Presentation Text of Presentation in PDF |
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Comment le Crédit Mutuel crée de nouveaux emplois et maintient les emplois existants? How does Crédit Mutuel create new and maintain jobs ? Paule Arcangeli, Director, Human Resources on behalf of Etienne Pflimlin, President, Confédération Nationale du Crédit Mutuel (France) |
Abstract (en Français) Slides and Text of Presentation Text of Presentation in PDF |
CECOP |
New Cooperatives in Scandinavia Bruno Roelants du Vivie on behalf of Elisabet Mattsson, President, Women Commission, European Confederation of Workers´ Cooperatives,Social Cooperatives and Participative Enterprises CECOP |
Abstract Slides and Text of Presentation Text of Presentation in PDF |
| La Experiencia de Mondragón Corporación Cooperativa: Política y Gestión de Empleo The Mondragon Experience Javier Salaberria, President, Confederación de Cooperativas de Euskadi (Spain) |
Abstract (en Español< Slides and Text of Presentation Text of Presentation in PDF (en Español) |
SEWA |
Struggle and Development Namrata Bali, Director of SEWA Academy and Secretary, Self-Employed Women's Association SEWA (India) |
Abstract Slides of Presentation |
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Decent Work: Yes! Cooperatives can make a difference. Charles Kabuga, Acting Head, Developing Country Activities, International Federation of Agricultural Producers IFAP |
Abstract Slides and Text of Presentation Text of Presentation in PDF |
| Closing | Joe Fazzio, COPAC Chairman and Chief, Coop Branch, International Labour Office ILO | |
Two additional papers were circulated by participants during the meeting. Copies are available from the COPAC Secretariat.
Synopsis of ProceedingsThe Open Forum demonstrated that cooperatives do make a difference to promoting decent work. It was shown that cooperative organization and the decent work paradigm are based on common values. These values are translated into creating and maintaining quality jobs in cooperatives worldwide.Mr. Göran Hultin, Executive Director, Employment Sector of the ILO, opened the session by reminding participants of the close links between the ILO and the cooperative movement. The first Director-General of ILO was a cooperator who established the Cooperative Branch at ILO in 1920. Mr. Hultin underlined that cooperatives have a distinct employment creation potential because of their structure and principles. He also presented some of the most notable cooperative success stories in the area of job creation. He noted some areas which require attention if cooperatives were to be successful in all parts of the world. These included internal capacity-building as well as a favourable climate for cooperative development. These were areas in which ILO was providing assistance. Mr. Hultin underlined the most recent initiative to revise ILO's own Recommendation 127 on cooperatives to reflect the new economic and political environment which could lead to a new standard. Discussion on the revision would be held at the International Labour Conference in 2001 and 2002. He concluded saying cooperatives were a proven concept to address new challenges. |
The ICA President, Mr. Roberto Rodrigues, in his opening remarks spoke about the global context in which cooperatives were operating - a world in which principle and values were being lost, where democracy was being challenged and ultimately human security and peace were at risk. Furthermore, cooperatives provide a future path as they are able to mobilize social capital. They bridge the economic and the social by providing employment, an equitable distribution of profits and above all, social justice. They also address issues of concern such as the environment and food security. However, he emphasized that governments need to be committed in order to fully develop the potential and contribution of cooperatives in maintaining this role.
Presentations from the US cooperative movement, the Crédit Mutuel, the Mondragon cooperatives of Spain, SEWA of India, IFAP and the workers' cooperatives in the European region, demonstrated the quantity and quality of the jobs that have been created. The policies for creating and maintaining decent jobs were underlined. In some cases employment was one of the principle aims of cooperatives - a means of improving the lives of their members and the communities in which they operate. Presenters also highlighted the contribution of cooperatives to making decent jobs available to women and youth.
One conclusion shared by all the presenters was that if cooperatives are to continue to increase their ability to make a difference, they will require enhanced internal capacities - professional management, committed, enlightened and honest leadership, institutional capacity building for cooperatives, general membership education and training - in addition to constructive support from governments. The revision of ILO Recommendation No. 127, the first discussion of which will take place at the International Labour Conference in June 2001, was seen by participants as an important instrument for the promotion of cooperatives worldwide.
Participants concluded that yes, indeed cooperatives can make a difference!
Organized in close collaboration with the Cooperative Branch of the International Labour Office, the Forum was one of the side events hosted by the ILO during the Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly (Geneva 2000) which reviewed progress in the implementation of the World Summit for Social Development (Copenhagen, 1995) especially with regard to advances in promoting productive employment, social integration and reducing poverty. It was also an advance event to celebrate the International Day of Cooperatives (1 July 2000) whose theme this year was "Cooperatives and Employment Promotion".
Please contact COPAC for more information - copac@coop.org.
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Updated: 26 July 2000