Co-operative Movement comes home

International Year of Co-operatives logo

Co-operators from across the world have been in Rochdale and Manchester this week for a major conference.

In celebration of the 2012 International Year of Co-operatives, the major international forum was focusing on the role of co‑operatives in the 21st century.

And as the World Capital of Co-operatives, it was fitting that Rochdale played a key part in the proceedings with delegates visiting the Pioneers Museum in Toad Lane while part of the conference itself was held at the magnificent Town Hall.

The Mainstreaming Co-operation Conference was organised by the Co-operative College and sponsored by the Co-operative Group as well as a team of researchers from Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool University, Manchester Metropolitan University, the University of Central Lancashire, Edge Hill University and the University of the Basque Country.

Tony Webster, chair of the organising committee and Head of History at Liverpool John Moores University, said: “The international year is a wonderful opportunity to bring co-operation into the mainstream of public awareness, business practice and intellectual scrutiny.

“We're delighted to engage with co-operators and scholars from across the UK and around the globe, with more than 60 speakers representing 17 different countries. The programme covers a broad range of interests and highlights the variety of co-operative traditions and practices that exist all over the world.”

Among those who spoke at the conference was Councillor Colin Lambert, Leader of Rochdale Borough Council.

He said later: “Our status as the birthplace of the Co-operative Movement is a source of great pride for the borough and it wonderful that so many co-operators from overseas have been able to visit us this week.

“The principles that inspired the Pioneers in 1834 have since touched the lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world. It is important to show how these ideals remain relevant in the 21st century and I’m delighted that this event has contributed to this in a major way.”