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How can you win an argument if you don’t have one?

AnthonyMurray — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 18:51:45 +0000

Here’s a new thought: nations like ours which are traditionally viewed as ‘developed’ are actually enabling and creating such a gap between the rich and poor that we are in fact underdeveloping nations. This is why I love conferences like this – exposure to the ideas that challenge what we think we know. Great minds are sitting in a conference room questioning what we think we know. It’s inspiring…. And a little frustrating.

The thing is that I have this feeling that our wider co-op sector is asking questions that are being answered here. I also think that the questions being asked here already have answers out in the sector.

We are taught to ask questions, to seek to learn, to form an opinion and to defend it. Indeed, this sector exists because of this notion. But how can we take what we are learning and apply it in the real world without inviting other points of view to test our theories? Or to explain why a great idea isn’t practical? Or why a practical idea isn’t great?

Does there exist out there a co-op forum that brings together academics (and in some cases, the ones who they study) business leaders, funders, even people from outside of the co-op system in order to give voice to all of the stakeholders involved in creating real action?

Sarah Feldberg

Imagine 2012 Opens with "Thinking Thoughts, Big Ideas and those who believe in the Future"

AnthonyMurray — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 14:49:01 +0000

A guest post by Anthony Pullin, part of the ICA team in Quebec.

After a wonderfully warm welcome from our hosts at Desjardins (Lynn, you know who you are and we were truly thankful for the time you spent to make us feel welcome) we found ourselves in opening Press Conference Room of Imagine 2012.

Questions came about how we could raise the profile of co-operatives within various fields, such as media, politics and education. There were challenges on how we might harness tools such as social media and to further the co-operative cause. It seemed clear to me sitting there that the co-operative movement is full of such passion and driven people, but the question was clearly how to translate that to the “man on the street?”

Conference Manager, Tom Webb of co-hosts Saint Mary’s University, felt the co-operative movement needed to “start thinking of the ideas that will drive the minds of young people in the future” - Perhaps our youth contigent, here for the “Future Cooperative Leaders” Programme will have something to add to that debate - whilst Dame Pauline Green reflected that the cooperative movement has been guilty of spending a lot of time “talking to ourselves”, when it’s those outside the movement we need to engage. “This is our moment”, she stressed.

I thought about the scale of the movement. One hundred million peope employed by co-operatives that work for the benefit of their one billion members. How could a movement this big be “under the radar”?

We moved to the main audotorium - an impressive space that will see the main addresses over the Imagine conference and forward through the International Summit.

We heard addresses from each of the Co-hosts, Saint Mary’s, Desjardins and the International Co-operative Alliance.

Colin Dodds, President of Saint Mary’s, whose North of England upbringing placed co-operatives “in his DNA”, explained he was now placing co-operatives in his MBA, so to speak, with Saint Mary’s taking the first steps to placing co-operatives in the lecture theatres of our business schools through their graduate level programs.

Desjardins leader, Monique Leroux, explained how co-operative movement is not an “alternative to business” but business in it’s own right. Based on associations of people rather than capital. A concept that felt apt when viewed against the backdrop of this gathering of people centric thinkers from across the globe.

The ICA’s President, Dame Pauline Green defended the movement against those that might label it “idealistic”. How could a movement of one billion be idealistic? A movement that puts food in childrens stomachs, brings power to peoples villages and provides one hundred million people across the world with jobs. She challenged the movement to provide strong messages such as these for the the ICA to take forward into the coming decade of co-operation.

Tom Webb questioned how mainstream economics could consider the fundementals of the economy to be sound in 2007/08 whilst 1.3million children starved to death. Surely there must be a better way?

Finally, it was up to Stefano Zamagni to take us back through the history of economic thought in order to make the point that co-operatives - considered the superior form of enterprise in the 19th Century - were making a comeback. Market and Government failures have left gap that co-operatives are starting to fill. A diversification that, he explained, could reduce wealth inequality, promote political democracy and give people their freedom to flourish.

Dr. Zamagni asked us to do some “thinking” thought. I think he meant the kind of thought that isn’t regurgitated from what we’ve learned, but more created from our interactions with each other. Let’s hope this “thinking thought” will be in the minds of everyone as they begin their interactions at Imagine 2012 and onwards into the international summit here in Quebec next week.

Dr. Zamagni put it best when he said this event could be “the best testimony to people who believe in the future”. We’ll all drink to that.

Challenge to Centre’s competence in Co-Op banks

Ajay Jha — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 12:04:57 +0000

A petition challenging the legislative competence of the central govt, to make laws for cooperative banking institutions has been filed in the Gujarat High Court. The petitioner is Consumer Protection and Analytic Commitee.

The High Court has said as the apex court has made some observations in this connection, the matter requires hearing.

Among other things, the petition says cooperative banking being the exclusive domain of the state all cooperative banking laws made by the center should be declared ultra vires the constitution.

The petitioner’s lawyer argued that a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court has held that Co-operative society does not fall in Schedule 7, Entry 1, List 45.

The division bench of High court had also earlier held that Co-operative society does not fall in 7th Schedule Entry 1 List 43.

Thus it is clear that Co-operative society by any stretch of imagination does not fall in 7th Schedule List I (Union List) but falls in 7th Schedule List II (State List).”

Assistant Solicitor General of India, PS Champaneri however opposed the petition arguing that the parliament has legislative competence in the matter.

Lucknow Mercantile Bank under cloud

Ajay Jha — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 11:38:04 +0000

A big money laundering case involving a cooperative bank has come to light. The consequences can be dire for the country if the case is not pursued to its logical conclusion.

There is a feeling of worry that the money transacted might have been used either for drug or terrorism. Details of the case have filtered through to the media from intelligence bureau.

One Madhu Jain-whose whereabouts are not yet known put an amount of Rs 72 lakh in Mercantile Cooperative Bank in Lucknow, got pay orders, spread the amount in umpteen accounts and then withdrew the money.

The whole operation organized with an extraordinary finesse, is supposed to be just the tip of the iceberg. Nearly Rs 8000 crore are involved and the whole racket had been going on for several years.

According to IB, the illegal money might have found its way into the country’s banking system. The RBI imposing a fine of Rs 5 lakh on the Mercantile Bank for violating know your customer guidelines seems to be the only crumb of comfort in this dangerous situation.

Knowledgeable sources say the US authorities had only recently warned their Indian counterparts against the serious dangers of not conducting the due diligence process in high value bank transactions.

Sources add the country’s banking system risks falling to bits if questionable transactions are not effectively checked on time. The banking oversight institutions have been greatly worried on this issue, sources claim.

Stree Nidhi: A role model for SHG

Ajay Jha — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 11:04:50 +0000

Stree Nidhi Credit Cooperative – an all women self-help group in Andhra Pradesh is contemplating to expand its business to Rs 1500 crore.

The self-help group intends collecting Rs 1000 crore from big commercial banks and the remaining amount through recirculation.

According to G.V.S. Reddy MD of the group, the organisation is in contact with several important banks of the country and the prospects of getting their support are bright.

The group has so far disbursed Rs 365 crore to women borrowers covering around 62,000 SHGs out of 1 million SHGs, Mr. Reddy said.

The group charges a very low interest on loans and the govt gives 100 percent subvention if borrowers pay their loans promptly, Reddy added.

While the all women self-help group works with a modest staff of 19 people, it constantly gets supported by thousands of people at work in the district rural development agency throughout the state. The group does not have to pay for their assistance.

A must-see program this Sunday, October 7

Lyne Gagnon — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 06:00:00 +0000

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To stimulate discussion and debate at Imagine 2012: The International Conference on Co-operative Economics, eight conferences will be presented:

8:45 a.m. – Economics Unmasked: Can we develop more meaningful economics? from Manfred Max-Neef, Professor and speaker, Right Livelihood Award also referred to as the “Alternative Nobel Prize” in 1983, Chile
10:30 a.m. – What Is the New Economy and Why Do We Need It? from Neva Goodwin, Co-director, Global Development And Environment Institute, Tufts University, United States

Commentary: Charles Gould, Director General, International Co-operative Alliance (ICA), Switzerland

11:15 a.m. – What Is Progress and How Do We Measure It? from Ronald Colman, Founder and Executive Director, GPI Atlantic, Canada

Commentary: Joy Cousminer, CEO, Bethex Federal Credit Union, United States

12:00 p.m. – How Bad Is Income Inequality and Why Does It Matter? from Richard Wilkinson, Professor Emeritus, University of Nottingham Medical School, and Honorary Professor, University College London, United Kingdom

Commentary: Bill Cheney, President and CEO, Credit Union National Association (CUNA), United States

2:00 p.m. – Are Prosperity and Sustainability Compatible? from William Rees, Professor Emeritus, University of British Columbia, Canada

Commentary: Ed Mayo, President and CEO, Co-operatives UK, United Kingdom

2:45 p.m. – Are there Limits to Growth? from Peter Victor, first President, Canadian Society for Ecological Economics, Canada

Commentary: Dr U. S. Awasthi, President and CEO, IFFCO, India

4:00 p.m. – Complexity: What Drives Innovation, Adaptation and Resilience? from Thomas Homer-Dixon, Centre for International Governance Innovation Chair of Global Systems, Balsillie School of International Affairs, Waterloo, Canada

Commentary: Jean-Louis Bancel, President and CEO, Crédit Coopératif, France

6:30 p.m. – Do co-ops need a different type of employees and organizational design than conventional firms? Lessons from behavioral economics from Avner Ben-Ner, Professor, Center for Human Resources and Labor Studies, Carlson School of Management, and Affiliated Professor, Law School, University of Minnesota, United States

Commentary: Tracy Redies, President and CEO, Coast Capital Savings, Canada

Registration from 8:00 a.m.

Come and learn about the new economic thinking emerging around the world and how it fits with co-operatives. Come to Imagine 2012.

Good conference to all participants!

“We need to increase the number of co-operative firms in...

AnthonyMurray — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 00:25:09 +0000

“We need to increase the number of co-operative firms in our market economy”. Stefano Zamagni - Vice Director of the Bologna Centre, speaking at the launch of Imagine 2012.

Imagine 2012: Opening session sets agenda of co-operative economics

AnthonyMurray — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 00:09:15 +0000

A conference that brings together economic leaders of co-operative businesses around the world has opened in Quebec.

“We want a diversification of the global economy; and we...

AnthonyMurray — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 23:54:01 +0000

“We want a diversification of the global economy; and we want our people-owned businesses to be a part of this. We are serving the needs of ordinary folk and businesses around the world, when so many financial institutions have let them down.” Dame Pauline Green - President of the International Co-operative Alliance speaking at the launch of Imagine 2012 n Quebec City

“We live in difficult times, difficult for government, difficult...

AnthonyMurray — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 23:35:10 +0000

“We live in difficult times, difficult for government, difficult for business and difficult for people. We need to get back on track, more jobs, more innovation and more businesses need to invest, expand and think long term for people and society.” Monique F Leroux - Chair of the Board, President and CEO, Desjardins Group speaking at the opening of Imagine 2012