ICA-Americas Newsletter Issue Nº 13 // July 2012

SEMINAR AND I GENERAL ASSEMBLY PARLATINO AND ICA-AMERICAS ICA- AMERICAS LAUNCHED GREEN OF CICOPA-AMERICAS SIGNED AN AGREEMENT TO COOPERATIVE CERTIFICATE SERVICE The activities were held in the framework PROMOTE COOPERATIVES With this system, ICA‐Americas offers of the II Cooperative Summit of the The aim is to promote legislative reforms cooperatives of the region a service of Americas gathering participants from 21 to generate a suitable legal framework certification of the environmental quality countries of the region. for the development of cooperatives. of their administrative operations. (page 8) (page 9) (page 14)

Inside Panama Final Declaration: a Guide for Co‐operatives Interview to Dame Pauline Green, ICA President in the Americas p. 3 “OUR ROLE IS TO REMAIN A LARGE Co‐operation is the best ever, single initiative for AND HUGE MASSIVE NETWORK OF reducing poverty that the world has ever seen LOCAL, AUTONOMOUS, MEMBER- p.4 OWNED, SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRI- Interview to Rebecca Kemble Vice President of CICOPA‐ SES ACROSS THE WORLD” Americas p.6 (page 12)

Worker Cooperatives Seminar and I General Assembly of CICOPA‐Americas p.8

PARLATINO AND ICA‐Americas signed an agreement to promote cooperatives p. 9

Interview to Charles Gould ICA Director General p. 10

Interview to Dame Pauline Green ICA President P.12

ICA‐ Americas launched Green Cooperative Certificate Service P.14

Resolution of nominating ICA for the Nobel Peace Prize p.15

Rio+20 document affirms that co‐operatives are key for sustainable development p.15 PANAMA FINAL DECLARATION: A GUIDE FOR CO‐OPERATIVES IN THE AMERICAS ICA-Americas Newsletter is an e-publication of the International Co-operative Alliance for the Americas CHARLES GOULD:

“WE ARE BEGINNING TO SEE A MUCH MORE ASSERTIVE VOICE FROM THIS PART OF THE WORLD ON THE ICA ISSUES”

REBECCA KEMBLE: [email protected] “IN WORKER COOPERATIVES WE ARE Phone: + (506) 2296 0981 TALKING NOT ABOUT CREATING JOBS Fax: + (506) 2231 5842 PO BOX: 6648 -1000 BUT CREATING LIVELIHOODS”

{ The Editor’s Pen }

II Cooperative Summit of the Americas was a success

The success of this Summit could be measured in the number of participants (more than 1.000), the representation of most of the countries in the continent (there were participants from more than 20 countries) or in the academic and human level of the guest speakers and expositors. We could also measure its success in the high level of enthusiasm of the co‐operators and their active role in the roundtables and Manuel Mariño forums and in all the experiences and ideas shared. There is no doubt that the joint ICA‐Americas work of ICA‐Americas with the host organizations in Panamá, IPACOOP and CONAL‐ Regional Director COOP, had a lot to do with this positive outcome and it shows what can be reached through cooperation.

However, the real success of the Summit will only be measured in the future. That is, the work done in Panama from May 28th and 1st June, did not finish there. The Panama declaration ‐the document that all the participants agreed upon‐ does not look back but forward. In this declaration, ICA‐Americas as well as the cooperative movement as a whole, establish a number of commitments regarding each and every area of work of cooperatives. Fulfilling these commitments and the work to‐ wards this objective will make this summit a success.

One of the commitments assumed in the Declaration demanded urgent attention. From June 20th to 22nd, world leaders gathered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development or Río+20. The cooperators in the Americas were called to influence as much as they could to finally include in the Final Document of Río+20 a clear commitment of the contribution of coopera‐ tives to sustainable development. The incidence work carried out by the movement is bearing fruit and the proposed objective was fulfilled.

ICA President Dame Pauline Green, said with regards to this milestone: “Members and supporters of co‐operatives have long known ‐ co‐ops help lift people out of poverty, advance gender equality, give back to the community and address head on the critical issues of sustainable development. What nations did in Rio today was to state that case in writing.”

In this 2012 International Year of Cooperatives is excellent news that the Final Dec‐ laration of Rio 20 acknowledges the important role of co‐ops. It helps make our message more visible!

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PANAMA FINAL DECLARATION: A GUIDE FOR CO‐OPERATIVES IN THE AMERICAS

The second Co‐operative Summit of tive in the world to reduce poverty” The Panama Declaration lays em‐ the Americas took place in Panama she said. phasis on the distinctive aspects of from 28th May to 1st June, gather‐ During the Summit, Ramón Imperial, the present conditions in which the ing more than 1,000 international President of the International Co‐ paradigms of free market are being and local participants. The event operative Alliance for the Americas, questioned by millions of people, gave greater insight into the co‐ said this Summit was the "most im‐ even experts in economy. “The fu‐ operative movement in the Ameri‐ portant event in the Americas in 2012 ture of human kind is at risk. It is cas and all participants agreed International Year of Cooperatives". the moment to take action. The co‐ upon a Final Declaration to deter‐ Then he discussed one the aspects operatives of our American conti‐ mine the future direction for the cooperatives have to work on. “There nent are facing a challenge, an op‐ sector to take. is an imbalance in cooperatives. We portunity and a responsibility” says emphasize on the co‐operative phi‐ the declaration. The theme of the Summit was losophy but neglect the business ‘Sustainable Development with Social side. We must combine good prod‐ The document highlights the impor‐ Equity in the Co‐operative Model’ ucts and good services with good tance of the agreement signed be‐ and it focused on four themes: iden‐ management," he explained. tween ICA‐Americas and the Latin tity and co‐operative business man‐ Manuel Mariño, Regional Director of American Parliament (PARLATINO agement; development paradigms ICA Americas, focused on the impor‐ for its acronym in Spanish). and social equity; social and environ‐ tance of integration. "The issue of mental responsibility; and public pol‐ They agreed on a project regarding integration of co‐operatives in Latin icy and advocacy. America is a serious problem. In the Framework Law for Coopera‐ The event was opened by ICA Presi‐ many countries, the co‐operative tives in Latin America, which was dent, Dame Pauline Green, with a movement is fragmented. No integra‐ approved by the Economic Commis‐ truly inspirational lecture. She said tion organizations are truly represen‐ sion of the PARLATINO. After signing the Summit was a great opportunity tative and comply with their duties. this agreement Manuel Mariño to send the message of the global co‐ We must concentrate on what unites said: “We must be clear that in operative movement to a wider audi‐ us not what sets us apart.” many countries, co‐operatives are ence: "As a global movement, we The event was hosted by IPACOOP, not competing with private compa‐ have to convince those leaders of all the institute responsible for deliver‐ nies under the same conditions. nations, who understand the value of ing the state’s co‐operative policy, This Framework Law provides that the co‐operative economy, to help us and CONALCOOP, which represents level playing field. No privileges are incorporate this key message in their and develops the cooperative move‐ being asked, but everyone will be agendas. ment in Panama. able to act on the market under the She also highlighted that “our values HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FINAL same conditions.” define our identity”. DECLARATION ICA‐Americas and the PARLATINO "For two centuries our values have After a process of deep reflection and also committed to continuing the served to reduce conflict, build social debate, cooperators from the Ameri‐ tough task of protecting the planet cohesion, give people skills and ex‐ cas participating in the II Cooperative from environmental deterioration. perience, develop local leadership Summit agreed on a final declara‐ To this end, the Declaration of Pa‐ tion. It contains specific recommen‐ and support women in their eco‐ nama recommends “To welcome dations to ICA‐Americas as well as nomic activities. Co‐operatives have and to promote the agreements of lifted millions out of poverty with the commitments that the coopera‐ Rio+20 to defend the green econ‐ dignity, allowing them to build their tive movement assumes to put into omy, form the impact of climatic own businesses and giving them a practice within their different or‐ change”. future. Co‐operation is the best initia‐ ganizations.

To read the full declaration (in Spanish) go to http://s.coop/pzp3.

ICA-Americas Newsletter // Issue Nº 13 // July 2012 3

“We have a great story to tell” “CO‐OPERATION IS THE BEST EVER, SINGLE INITIATIVE FOR REDUCING POVERTY THAT THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN”

ICA President Dame Pauline Green started her speech during “Last year’s edition of the ICA’s Green urged co‐operators to the opening ceremony of the II Global 300, the list of the largest work on the inclusion of the Cooperative Summit of the Ameri‐ 300 co‐operatives and mutual en‐ cooperative model in their cas, by bringing the participants all terprises in the world showed that government agendas. Green the greeting of the International our movement is a global force highlighted the fact that co‐ Co‐operative Alliance, “but even already. operatives have taken mil‐ more importantly of your one bil‐ Together these 300 co‐operatives lions of people out of pov‐ lion fellow co‐operators across the alone are worth 1.6 trillion US dol‐ erty with dignity, by helping world". lars, equivalent to the 9th largest them to build their own co‐ She presented some statistics re‐ economy, and they operate in operative enterprises and garding cooperatives in nearly two some of the most competitive in‐ giving them a future. centuries of life: dustries in the world, banking, in‐

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surance, agriculture, retail, health, ter balanced and more sustainable utilities, housing and others. The economy. “Why is it for instance 300 list includes co‐operatives that the G8, the G20, the World “Our co-operative model from 25 different countries. Bank are not out promoting co‐ is sustained because it operative enterprise?” she asked. So we know how to run big multi‐ is a huge and growing billion dollar enterprises. Green expressed that one of chal‐ network of local, lenges is that cooperatives do not But of course, that is just the larg‐ autonomous, sovereign est 300 and we have hundreds and have a recognised global brand. hundreds of thousands of co‐ “Our co‐operative model is sus‐ enterprises, in a operatives – around the world, in tained because it is a huge and multitude of different fact one recent estimate puts the growing network of local, autono‐ sectors of the economy, number at 1.4 million, but we in mous, sovereign enterprises, in a that have developed multitude of different sectors of this room know that co‐ops are according to local not just about the size of the bal‐ the economy, that have developed ance sheet. We are about people according to local needs, local cul‐ needs, local culture and and communities. So it is no won‐ ture and member demands” she member demands. der then that today the entire co‐ said. operative movement is owned by “And we may not have a global ” nearly one billion people across brand, but we are united. We are and slogan for the Year, we could the globe. united by a set of principles and bring more focussed attention on And the ICA is proud to have in values that are globally recognised, our co‐operative difference. Our membership co‐operatives that and we work together in recogni‐ belief is that by so doing we will represent approximately 75% of tion of just that” she added. enhance our influence with deci‐ that one billion figure. sion‐makers at national and global According to Pauline Green, what level, and that in turn will help us Currently, as well over 100 million cooperatives and co‐operators to generate and secure public and of the world’s citizens are em‐ need to create, is a greater under‐ private resources to continue to ployed within a co‐operative”. standing of the value of member grow our movement in the coming owned, democratic, sustainable The ICA President said she is led to decades” she said. enterprises – a different sort of wonder why it is that the co‐ She concluded by saying that co‐ operative model is not more global economy in which people operatives themselves need al‐ prominent in global discussions on are at the core of economic deci‐ ways to be asking if they are fit for how to revive the economy, and sion making and no longer at its purpose. “Are its rules fit for the how to change it to become a bet‐ mercy. 21st century? Does the co‐op have In this sense she referred to the an active democratic process? Is ICA Board decision to use this In‐ the local and national co‐operative “ It is our duty to ternational Year to run one single economy growing? What other, ensure that our co-ops public awareness campaign to lift new forms of co‐ops do local peo‐ are modern, flexible, the profile and visibility of co‐ ple need? It is our duty to ensure innovative and operative enterprise across the that our co‐ops are modern, flexi‐ world. fulfilling their ble, innovative and fulfilling their purpose”, she explained. purpose. “The Board was sure then and re‐ mains of the view that if together To read the full version of Dame ” we can unite around the UN logo Pauline Green’s speech click here.

ICA-Americas Newsletter // Issue Nº 13 // July 2012 5

WORKER CO‐OPS: WE ARE TALKING NOT ABOUT CREATING JOBS BUT CREATING LIVELIHOODS

During her stay in Panama, ICA‐Americas Newsletter interview Rebecca Kemble, President of the United States Federation of Worker Co‐ops and President of CICOPA North America, Vice Presi‐ dent of CICOPA‐Americas. Rebecca is a member of Union Cab Cooperative where she works as a taxi driver and mediator. She is also a founding member, writer and editor in the newly formed Wisconsin Citizens Media Cooperative. She lives in Madison, WI, USA.

How do you feel about being part of this kind of international event? An essential part of moving our worker cooperatives movement forward is international solidarity and not just in words, but solidar‐ ity indeed. And building networks of strong alliances is critical to the development of our movement. Once and again we hear that co‐ operatives are an answer to un‐ employment. What is the role worker coops are called to play in the present economy? The situation we find ourselves in now is a situation in which capital, and in particular finance capital, has ruled our economy and the need to make profit has been the predominant driving force in our economy. In worker cooperatives the driving force is the needs of the members. democratic control over our own and autonomy doesn’t mean inde‐ So, in the mainstream capital eco‐ institutions we can decide how pendence to be individual human nomic model people are there to much profit we make, we can de‐ beings. It means that the human serve the need for profit. In the cide how to share that profit, we beings in society have the power worker cooperatives model it´s can decide how to distribute it, not to decide by themselves. But, im‐ reversed. Economic institutions are only among the member owners plicitly in the concept of autonomy there to serve the needs of peo‐ but also in society. Because, a big is the understanding of the human ple. And, since people have direct idea of cooperatives is autonomy, being as a social being, so it recog‐

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nizes our need to build institutions salary and go home, they´re not together, democratically, fairly and developing as a human beings. taking into consideration not just Human needs (emotional, intellec‐ “ Since people have selfish needs but the needs of the tual, creative, etc.) are met with direct democratic community. full participation in worker coop‐ control over our own Thus, worker cooperatives provide eratives. So, getting back to the institutions we can a structure and an organizational idea of wage labour or salary la‐ decide how much technology to organize the will of bour, you are still treating the hu‐ profit we make, we autonomous individuals to create man being as a commodity that can decide how to something better for society. And sells himself in a market. When we share that profit, we we do this through the means of are talking about worker coopera‐ can decide how to an economic enterprise. So, the tives, we are talking not about cre‐ aim of worker cooperatives isn´t to ating jobs but creating livelihoods, distribute it, not only reduce unemployment per se, the which is very different because it among the member aim of worker cooperatives is to encompasses more than just the owners but also meet the needs of the people who financial aspect of work. in society. form it and to meet the needs of What was the most important the community and we do it thing discussed today at the first through the vehicle of employ‐ ” CICOPA‐Americas Assembly? ment. here, I represent the people who have been equally victimized by It´s a subtle distinction I want to The most important thing is the that government and who have make but very important. It’s not idea of taking cooperation to a lar‐ been marginalized in the economy just about creating jobs. Paul ger scale and building alliances at by that government. And it’s very Singer explained that in Brazil every level of endeavor. At the ba‐ sic level of our own worker co‐ops sensitive for me, as a delegate there is full employment, but that from the United States, to be sit‐ is not enough, because people we have to cooperate with each ting at the table with delegates who are employed and whose role other to run a business, and then from, let me say, in particular Mex‐ in the workplace is just to take a there is the next level of Federa‐ tions where we need our individ‐ ico and Colombia with whom my ual members at the base co‐ops to government has free trade agree‐ understand the importance of in‐ ments that have been extremely “ ter co‐operation with other co‐ devastating to the people of those The aim of worker countries. cooperatives isn´t to ops. We have to stop looking in‐ reduce unemployment ward and start looking outward, at Not only the free trade agree‐ the world around us and look at ments but the so‐called war on per se, the aim of the different levels of communities drugs that has imposed a level of worker cooperatives is in which we exist. CICOPA‐ violence on people from those to meet the needs Americas is one level of commu‐ countries that is really unimagin‐ of the people who form nity in which worker cooperatives able. And so, what I hope to bring it and to meet the needs exist. And now myself, coming to this table is the beginning of of the community and from the country whose govern‐ building more human relationships we do it through the ment has been the biggest impe‐ that will eventually result in politi‐ vehicle of employment. rial, military, economically ex‐ cal power in the hemisphere, so ploitative power on the planet, is a we can slowly transform these re‐ very poignant concept. Because I lations of violence and exploitation ” don’t represent that government in the Americas.

ICA-Americas Newsletter // Issue Nº 13 // July 2012 7

WORKER COOPERATIVES SEMINAR AND I GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF CICOPA‐AMERICAS

On Wednesday 30th May, a on the reorganization process of focused on the planning of CICOPA Worker Cooperatives Seminar CICOPA‐Americas and the pano‐ ‐Americas. rama of worker cooperatives in was held in the framework of Once the seminar finished, the I other regions of the world. The the II Cooperative Summit of the General Assembly of CICOPA‐ panelists were Arildo Mota, presi‐ Americas. It gathered partici‐ Americas took place. This was the dent of CICOPA‐Americas and pants from Panama ‐as the first official Assembly after the Manuel Mariscal, president of CI‐ guest country‐ and from almost constitution of CICOPA‐Americas COPA. 20 other countries in the region. in November, 2011. Since then, Aware of the challenges posed by CICOPA Americas‐Board has car‐ The seminar had the objective of the global situation, there was ried out various sessions using vir‐ “Promoting the relationship be‐ also an academic lecture on the tual platforms. tween the worker cooperatives of economic situation at continental the different regions in the Ameri‐ The I General Assembly included: level and its impact on the coop‐ cas to facilitate and speed up the erative sector.  A proposal of governance of creation of shared plans, the inter‐ CICOPA‐Americas change of information and the de‐ In addition, a panel integrated by  The ratification of its strategic cision making process”. It was a cooperators from different coun‐ and operation plan space for interaction among coop‐ tries addressed the regional situa‐ erators from the regions of Merco‐ tion of these cooperative organiza‐  A motion supporting the pro‐ sur, North America, the Andes re‐ tions, their ambitions and obsta‐ posal for the modification of the gion, Central America and the Car‐ cles to development and expan‐ 7th Cooperative Principle sion. ibbean, to agree on ideas, propos‐  A proposal regarding the United als and actions to be implemented Each participant had the opportu‐ Nations Conference on Sustain‐ in the short and long term. nity to contribute to the discus‐ able Development (Earth Sum‐ The activity started with a panel sion, in the workshop that was mit Rio+20).

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PARLATINO AND ICA‐AMERICAS SIGNED AN AGREEMENT TO PROMOTE COOPERATIVES

The Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO for its acronym in Spanish) and the International Cooperative Alliance for the Americas, signed an agreement of cooperation to work together, keep informed and support one another in the pursuit of institu‐ tional objectives to benefit coop‐ eratives in this region of the world. The agreement was signed in Panama, during the opening ceremony of the Coop‐ erative Summit of the Americas. The agreement was signed by the president of the PARLATINO, the Panamanian parliamentarian Elías Castillo, and the Regional Director of ICA‐Americas, Manuel Mariño. Through this initiative both parties agreed to promote legislative re‐ forms to generate a suitable legal “It’s really encouraging to see that from the whole continent partici‐ pated in the VII Parliamentarian framework for the development of the cooperative movement is de‐ Meeting which was held on 30th cooperatives in Latin America. The veloping with vigor, thanks to an May in the II Cooperative Summit main objective of the Framework organization as ICA, which firmly of the Americas organized by ICA‐ Law for Cooperatives in Latin serves and represents coopera‐ Americas, IPACOOP and CONAL‐ America is to serve as a guide for tives worldwide” he added. COOP. cooperative legislation, so as to The PARLATINO and ICA‐Americas This meeting focused on the im‐ regulate all cooperatives regard‐ also committed to supporting the portance of public policies and less of their particular social objec‐ proposal for the creation of a Net‐ cooperative legislation to create a tive. work of Parliamentarians in the favorable environment for the de‐ Americas to strengthen relation‐ Parliamentarian Elías Castillo, as velopment of cooperatives, which the PARLATINO president, said it ships among the national parlia‐ enables them to be competitive in was a pleasure to subscribe this ments of the continent and the relation to mainstream enter‐ cooperation agreement “in a international cooperative move‐ prises. Another issue address by world which is increasingly charac‐ ment. the meeting was the control of terized by individualism and which cooperatives observing its particu‐ VII PARLIAMENTARIAN MEETING promotes competition instead of lar nature, autonomy and inde‐ cooperation”. More than 50 parliamentarians pendence.

ICA-Americas Newsletter // Issue Nº 13 // July 2012 9

A shift to the south “WE ARE BEGINNING TO SEE A MUCH MORE ASSERTIVE VOICE FROM THIS PART OF THE WORLD ON THE ICA ISSUES”

ICA Director General, Charles How do you feel about being here dressed are excellent. Gould, travelled to Panama to in the II Cooperative Summit of What do you think about the main take part in the II Cooperative the Americas since this is your first topic of the Summit: Sustainable Summit of the Americas and the summit in this region? Development with social equity? X ICA General Assembly. In an It’s my first time in Panama and my It’s such an important topic and it’s interview with ICA‐Americas, he first time in one of the Americas one that is getting more recogni‐ highlighted that this continent is summits and it’s very impressive. tion. I was just looking at The showing leadership worldwide, It’s great to be part of welcoming Global Trends 2030 Report that the particularly in cooperative issues. new members and the themes ad‐ European Union has put together.

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It is an exhaustive study and it had clare an International Year of Coop‐ participants from around the eratives? What are you doing? world. They are looking at the big “We have an honest position What are your aspirations? And trends that are coming in the next on sustainable development once they hear that, they realize twenty or thirty years. And sustain‐ because of the nature of it’s a very compelling story. And able development is one of the top our membership, people people say: “I had no idea. I had no three. who care about their com- idea there were so many co‐ munity, care about how ser- operators. I had no idea the reach This is the result of a number of vices are delivered and how was so large. I had no idea it was in things; one of them is the raising the resources are used. so many countries. I didn´t know middle classes around the world that organization was a coopera‐ which create growing expectations tive”. And that’s what we want, and a growing demand for prod‐ ” From a cooperative perspective because then we can go back and ucts. That growing demand for this is great. You feel it when you give more information. products is putting more pressure travel to this part of the world. It’s on sustainable development. We blooming; there is promise. Even AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS ON CO‐ realize we can’t develop, we can’t when there are problems there’s a OPERATIVES produce at the rate we have, in the sense of hope. same way. It is finally getting the Charles Gould emphasized on the kind of attention is always should We are beginning to see a much need to remember the three main have got. more assertive voice from this part objectives of the International Year, of the world on the ICA issues. I for any awareness campaign. Cooperatives are so well posi‐ think about the resolution that tioned to be a solution to that. Be‐ Increase awareness came forward at our last assembly cause sustainable development has Increase public awareness about in Cancun on the modification of been a core principle since the ear‐ cooperatives and their contribu‐ the seventh cooperative principle. liest times of co‐ops. We have an tions to socio‐economic develop‐ It shows this region is providing honest position on this, we have an ment and the achievement of the leaderships on issues that are im‐ authentic position. Because of the Millennium Development Goals. portant for all cooperatives. nature of our membership, people Promote growth who care about their community, What is your evaluation of the Promote the formation and growth care about how services are deliv‐ 2012 International Year of Coop‐ of co‐operatives among individuals ered and how the resources are eratives so far? and institutions to address com‐ used. It’s great to see the rest of The core message for us is: the mon economic needs and for socio the world has a real interest on year is huge. This is very important. ‐economic empowerment. this. It’s an opportunity to build a plat‐ Establish appropriate policies How do you see the cooperative form to begin to give our message Encourage Governments and regu‐ movement in this continent? out. We are doing a lot of founda‐ latory bodies to establish policies, tional work this year. Both in the It’s really interesting to watch be‐ laws and regulation conducive to area of public awareness and me‐ cause America is one of those re‐ co‐operative formation and dia relations and in the area of gions that has seen a lot of shift of growth. public policies and advocacy, I can influence inside the region. We’ve By raising awareness about coop‐ see that the relationships that we seen this globally. In general we eratives – what they are, and what are establishing with the media will keep hearing that there is a shift of they do – the IYC 2012 will help to have a long term effect. influence to the East. But the truth encourage support and develop‐ is we have seen a shift to the south The year gets attention. It gets ment of cooperative enterprises by as well as a shift to the East. people say: “Why did the UN de‐ individuals and their communities.

ICA-Americas Newsletter // Issue Nº 13 // July 2012 11

“OUR ROLE IS TO REMAIN A LARGE AND HUGE MASSIVE NETWORK OF LOCAL, AUTONOMOUS, MEMBER‐ OWNED, SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISES ACROSS THE WORLD”

Dame Pauline Green has been vative. What I love about this II the game and one of the things part of the Cooperative Move‐ Summit is that the cooperators that I think the co‐op movement ment for more than three dec‐ who came are so full of energy and needs to concentrate on is that ades. In November 2009, she enthusiasm and interested I’ve this is the moment in our history was elected President of the ICA found it very invigorating. The de‐ where we have a wonderful op‐ for a four‐year period, being the bates have been great and I think portunity to try to demonstrate first ever woman president of that it´s a really stimulating envi‐ the value of the cooperative differ‐ this organization. In this role, ronment. ence. That we are people‐centred businesses and we put people at she has travelled the world Have you identified the key areas the heart of decision making. working on the promotion and where there is still more work to defense of cooperatives. do? This is a good message and a good time to give it out. One of the I think the world is in a very fast From Panama, where she is at‐ problems is that we are not very moving changing environment. If tending the II Cooperative Summit good at using yet well enough the you think about what’s happening of the Americas, she gave an exclu‐ social media and networking so we around the world; if you think sive interview to aciamericas.coop. can get that core message out to about the difficulties in the econ‐ During the interview, we could dis‐ the people who need to hear it. omy, the real destruction amongst cover Pauline Green is a very The people who are demonstrating many of the young people whose strong and inspiring woman, will‐ in the Occupy Movement, the lives have been devastated by re‐ ing to continue learning about the youngsters that are out on the cession and the financial collapse; power of cooperation. streets in North Africa and Middle if you think about the fast moving How do you feel about being here East arguing for a fairer society, a technology which is changing the in Panama, taking part in the II freer society; a society that will world as we know it and then this Cooperative Summit of the Ameri‐ allow them to engage and have old issue of climate change. It is a cas? some impact. very strange and confusing time in This has been a great event actu‐ which the world is going through. And the way they communicate is ally. The programme is really inno‐ So, It´s vital that we keep ahead of through twitting, blogs, Facebook,

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all of those social media and net‐ you think that regional and cul‐ works at what a lot of us older tural differences are a hindrance people are not so good at. So we or strength to the co‐op move‐ “ We are making need to activate young people and ment? money to try to make say “Get out there and put your The cultural, linguistic and reli‐ people’s lives easier and hundred and forty characters gious differences are strengths to better, and to give about what´s good about the coop us and not a weakness. We have to movement out on your twit, let´s persuade those in power that the children opportunities. do it, and make sure that our mes‐ economy that has become the I think our role is to sage is spreading across the world dominant economy has let us all remain a large and virally through social media”. And down. And it´s not just a matter of huge massive network we need to do it because this is working until we can get it back to 2012, the International Year of Co‐ like it used to be, because we of local, autonomous, operatives, and if ever there was a know it cannot work. It will fail member-owned, time to be ambitious and believe again and will shock even more sustainable enterprises that what we can do really makes lives. What we need to do is to across the world. a difference in the world, this is it, persuade people that there is an‐ the moment is right. The situation other way to run the economy, economically and politically is there is another way to put people ” right, the situation in terms of right at the center of decision mak‐ now. The trouble is that people technology is right and young peo‐ ing. Actually, the economy is there don´t perceive us as big, they see ple is in the right mood to listen to to serve humankind. It´s not the as us as some little sort business in us, to our message, we´ve just got other way round and we´ve lost the corner somewhere. But, in to let it out. that understanding about what’s fact, we are massive and that´s the message that needs to go out. Yesterday during you key speech the economy for, what we make in the opening of the II Coopera‐ money for. What are the highlights of the IYC, tive Summit you talked about the We are making money to try to which things are you proud of importance of being global. Do make people’s lives easier and bet‐ that have happened during the ter, and to give children opportuni‐ first half of the year? ties. So, I think our role is to re‐ This first six months are character‐ “ main a large and huge massive ized by the brilliant way that the What we need to do network of local, autonomous, movement across the world is is to persuade member‐owned, sustainable en‐ coming together to celebrate this terprises across the world. The im‐ people that there is International Year of Cooperatives. pact we have already on the world Everywhere I´ve been in (and I´ve another way to run is absolutely massive with the larg‐ been in all the continents) they are the economy, there est 300 co‐operatives, alone, turn‐ celebrating the IYC as we wanted over some 1.6 trillion US dollars, is another way to them to do it. Because the one equivalent to the GDP of the thing that ICA asked is that mem‐ put people right at world’s 9th largest economy, a bers should have as many events the center of movement owned by a billion peo‐ as they like but using the IYC slo‐ ple across the globe and employ‐ decision making. gan and logo, making it very visible ing 100 million people, which is so people can see the rich of the more than all the multinationals movement all across the world, ” put together, that makes us big and that’s really working well.

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Environmental commitment ICA‐ AMERICAS LAUNCHED GREEN COOPERATIVE CERTIFICATE SERVICE

From 2012, ICA‐Americas has a new certification system called Green Cooperative Office. With this system, ICA‐Americas offers cooperatives of the American re‐ gion a service of certification of the environmental quality of their administrative operations.

The certification provides coopera‐ tives with a tool that allows them, in the administrative areas of op‐ eration, to manage their perform‐ ance in the most possible sustain‐ able manner, implementing a cul‐ certifications concerning its com‐ followed. ture of management and environ‐ mitment to the environment. After Jorge Polimeni, Executive delegate mental quality. being recognized for its environ‐ of the Bandera Ecológica Founda‐ mentally‐friendly practices, ICA‐ This certification is offered to co‐ tion and responsible for the inven‐ Americas Regional Office worked tory of emissions carried out at ICA operatives aiming to make their on the creation of the Green Coop‐ ‐Americas, pointed out that the environmental commitment more erative Certificate that was added value of these certifications visible. It is designed for offices launched earlier in 2012. is that they show the willingness of within any cooperative, no matter The Carbon Neutral and Green Of‐ the organization to make its proc‐ which sector they belong to. fice certifications were granted af‐ esses greener. This can pave the This certification encourages prac‐ ter examining the emission of pol‐ way towards eco‐efficiency. tices of eco‐efficiency, in order to lutant gases and after the office as‐ As part of the process, ICA‐ do the same activity with less pres‐ sumed a commitment to reduce Americas committed to mitigate its sure on natural resources. As an them. emissions of pollutant gases by added value it reinforces public Both certifications were the result means of specific measures and recognition of the environmental of the annual inventory of green‐ additional financial contributions. efforts of cooperatives. house gas emissions in its daily op‐ Manuel Mariño, ICA‐Americas Re‐ ICA‐AMERICAS REGIONAL OFFICE eration. The inventory was carried gional Director, said that the or‐ CERTIFIED AS GREEN OFFICE AND out by independent auditors fol‐ ganization opted to make this ef‐ CARBON NEUTRAL OFFICE lowing the scientific method and fort to be consistent with the Dec‐ The Green Cooperative Certificate the principles of the Intergovern‐ laration of Guadalajara and the Co‐ is based on the experience of ICA‐ mental Panel on Climate Change. operative Green Pact. " ICA‐ Americas itself. ICA‐Americas Re‐ Also, the guidelines established by Americas wants to set an example” gional Office received in 2011 two the Costa Rica government were he stressed.

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X ICA‐AMERICAS REGIONAL ASSEMBLY APPROVED THE RESOLUTION OF NOMINATING ICA AS A CANDIDATE FOR THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE

The X ICA‐Americas Regional As‐ vince "qualified nominators" as sembly supported an initiative politicians, university professors presented by the Canadian coop‐ and previous Nobel Prize laureates erative members, to nominate in their countries, through letters the International Co‐operative and other initiatives, about the im‐ Alliance (ICA), which represents portance of the ICA nomination for such a prestigious award. the co‐operative movement worldwide, as a candidate for The Assembly also voted a pro‐ the Nobel Peace Prize. posal to change some points in the ICA‐Americas Regulations to be Cooperative movements from the discussed at the General Assembly region of the Americas are invited that will take place in Manchester to find ways to inform and con‐ in October, 2012.

RIO+20 DOCUMENT AFFIRMS THAT CO‐OPERATIVES ARE KEY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT On 22nd June the co‐operative tional organization that represents movement made history with co‐operatives in 100 countries nations’ signing the Rio+20 around the world) said: “Members document which included a and supporters of co‐operatives strong affirmation that co‐ have long known ‐ co‐ops help lift operatives are important for ag‐ people out of poverty, advance ricultural development, jobs and gender equality, give back to the for social development and pov‐ community and address head on erty reduction. the critical issues of sustainable development. What nations did in Rio+20 was attended by 190 coun‐ Rio today was to state that case in tries in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from writing.” tion on every side, at the end of June 20‐22, 2012. The focus of the Betsy Dribben is the ICA Director of the day they could all agree ‘that conference was to advance a Policy. Having participated in the co‐operatives build a better world’. “green economy” and also focus UN Rio negotiations since January “Just as we’ve been saying over attention on creating a framework 2012, Dribben noted time and and over again in this UN Interna‐ for moving forward on sustainable again ministers and ambassadors tional Year of Co‐operatives ‐ this development. told her that in their countries ‐ values based business model can Commenting on this important rich or poor ‐ cooperatives were really make good things happen. milestone, Dame Pauline Green, important. She added that while Now country leaders at the Rio President of the International Co‐ negotiations were often slow and signing have made it clear ‘they fi‐ operative Alliance (the interna‐ sometimes punctuated by frustra‐ nally get it.’”

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SHORT ica NEWS The Global Fund for the International Year of Co‐operatives has almost reached half a million Swiss Francs. 1 The appeal helps the ICA raise awareness of the International Year and ensure the co‐operative message reaches a global audience ‐ not just a co‐operative one. In the US, the National Cooperative Business Associa‐ tion donated US$ 50,000 that helped raise the current total to CHF 473,527. A further 42 co‐operatives have also sent donations from different ICA regions. To find out how to support the ICA’s appeal to raise public awareness of the International Year of Co‐operatives visit: www.2012.coop/en/iyc‐appeal.

Take part in the World Co‐operative Monitor. Co‐operatives are being invited to take part in a global research 2 project to build upon the International Co‐operative Alliance's Global300 report. The World Co‐operative Monitor was launched by the ICA with the European Research Institute on Cooperative and Social Enter‐ prises (Euricse) as a better way to determine the top 300 co‐operatives in the world. Though, the survey also extends beyond finding the top 300 and co‐operatives of all sizes are invited to take part in the project. To take part, click here.

Over 10,000 co‐operators are set to take part in a global event to celebrate the end of the International Year 3 of Co‐operatives. Booking is set to go live early this month for Co‐operatives United in Manchester, UK, which will bring co‐operatives from around the world together in a festival of events and exhibitions to mark the cul‐ mination of the International Year of Co‐operatives. The three‐day event (31 October‐2 November), organised by the ICA with co‐hosts the Co‐operative Group and Co‐operatives UK, will host the ICA Extraordinary Gen‐ eral Assembly, the ICAEXPO and a number of other conferences, workshops and exhibitions. Over 150 work‐ shops will focus sessions on a variety of topics from ethics in business to best practices. The interactive and speaker‐led seminars aim to cater for all areas of the co‐operative movement. A fringe festival will bring to‐ gether films, food, theatre, music, art and competitions. For more details about the General Assembly visit www.2012.coop/en/ga and to book your place at Co‐operatives United, visit the official web‐ site: www.manchester2012.coop/book‐now.

ICA Housing President, David Rodgers, has announced his retirement from the sectoral organisation at the 4 end of his term in 2013. Mr Rodgers, also Chair of the ICA Housing Board, started his career in 1971 as a foun‐ der member of Sanford Housing Co‐operative, London, which today maintains a successful sustainable com‐ munity and recently made a contribution to the International Year of Co‐operatives fund.

The International Co‐operative Alliance continues growing globally. Nowadays ICA has 272 member organiza‐ 5 tions (234 full members and 38 associate members) from 97 countries representing approximately 1 billion individuals members worldwide.

All of your suggestions and proposals regarding the newsletter’s contents are very important for us, since our primary goal is to provide a publication enriched by your opinions. Please send your comments to: [email protected]

ICA-Americas Newsletter // Issue Nº 9 // May 2011 ICA-AmericasAn e-publication Newsletter of // IssueInternational Nº 13 // July 2012Co-operative Alliance for the Americas (ICA Americas) ICA is an independent, non-governmental association which unites, represents and serves co-operatives worldwide An e-publication of International Cooperative Alliance for the Americas (ICA Americas) Editor: Manuel Mariño // Realization team: Natalia Acerenza, Virginia Pérez Auza and Jorge Cabrera (jcse) ICA is an independent, non-governmental association which unites, represents and serves co-operatives worldwide © ICA Americas // Contents can be reproduced without authorization on condition that the source is indicated Editor: Manuel Mariño // Realization team: Natalia Acerenza, Virginia Pérez Auza and Jorge Cabrera (jcse)