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Working with Co-operatives Globally
From its earliest days the College has worked with co-operatives globally. In recent years it has renewed its global partnerships and developed new networks. Programmes for Uk based learners are enriched by real life co-operative stories drawn from the College's growing global engagement.
The College undertakes research and consultancy, education and training programmes, training trainers, information sharing and policy development work for co-operatives and support organisations. It also works to build capacity within co-operatives so that initiatives are sustainable and continue to benefit future members and managers long after the programmes have ended.
Examples of College activities that are making a real difference around the world include:
- Managing co-operative post tsunami reconstruction projects in India and Indonesia and working to access funding for follow-on programmes.
- Working with the International Labour Organisation as an implementation partner in CoopAfrica, a three year DfID funded programme that aims to improve the governance, performance and efficiency of co-operatives in Africa.
- Working on programmes in the developed world that include:
- Collaborating with Italian Co-operative Banks and with a range of partners in Europe to develop training for members, directors and presidents.
- Joint programmes with co-operatives across Europe that include research into training needs of social enterprises, developing a network of museums and archives and working to promote co-operative networks on fair food.
- Offering an annual education programme for directors and managers of large and small co-operatives in Australia and New Zealand.
- Working with co-operative support organisations in north America to run the Building Co-operative Futures programme that provides the opportunity for young co-operators to learn from each other and fellow co-operators from across the globe.
- Maintaining and developing strong links and partnerships with co-operative further and higher educational institutions across Africa, Europe, North America and in India, Pakistan and Australia.
The articles listed below report on some of the College's international activities and showcase examples of how co-operatives can make a real difference around the world. The articles are mainly written by College staff or associates. Click the links to find out more.
- Down Under with Organics, Fishermen, Farmers and Car Mechanics by Chris Cooper
- New Zealand – the Co-operative Land of the Long White Cloud by Chris Cooper
- Co-operation in the Mountain Kingdom by Mervyn Wilson
- Youth and Student Co-operatives – Building the Future of the Co-operative Movement in Lesotho by Mervyn Wilson
- The Co-operative College Returns to Australia - July 2007 by Chris Cooper
- Values and Principles Training in Australia 2006 by Chris Cooper
- After the Angry Sea: Co-operatives re-building
after the tsunami - Part 1
by Stirling Smith - College Associate - After the Angry Sea: Co-operatives re-building
after the tsunami - Part 2
by Stirling Smith - College Associate - Are these the bravest co-operators in
the world?
Stirling Smith reports on the Irula Snake Catchers Co-operative Society in India - Co-operatives in Africa - by Andrew Bibby - College Associate
- The Co-operative Movement in Africa - part 1 - Fair Trade saves the day - the Co-operative Movement in Tanzania by Stirling Smith - College Associate
- The Co-operative Movement in Africa - part 2 - Village Banks - the Co-operative Movement in Kenya by Stirling Smith - College Associate
- The Co-operative Movement in Africa - part 3 - Surviving Genocide: the Co-operative Movement in Rwanda by Stirling Smith - College Associate
- The Co-operative Movement in
Africa - part 4 - Co-operatives in The Pearl of Africa: Uganda
by Stirling Smith - College Associate - Values Training for Fair Trade Co-ops in Tanzania with Cilla Ross - College Associate
- Co-operatives and Islam: Common Values?
