By Jen Banks
The International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) – the body representing co-ops worldwide – has formed a new think tank comprising co-ops and co-op groups from around the globe. The group of co-ops will serve as a strategic hub for the co-op movement. IFFCO is part of the Think Tank.
The International Co-operative Entrepreneurship Think Tank (ICETT) launched with its first meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in conjunction with the ICA General Assembly and the V Co-operative Summit of the Americas.
The objective of the ICETT is to serve as a strategic hub for the co-op movement in order to strengthen the entrepreneurial performance of co-operatives.
At the inaugural meeting, the think tank discussed innovation, competitiveness, research, education, economic impact and inter-co-operation. The meeting was moderated by Javier Sotil, former president of the Mondragon Corporation who offered a view of the global challenges co-operative enterprises are facing.
Organisations with representatives at the meeting included the Midcounties Co-operative from the UK, Finland’s S-Group, the Kibbutz Movement from Israel, Fundacion Espriu from Spain, the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Co-operative Limited (IFFCO), and the Argentinian Cooperativa Obrera.
The list of participating co-ops include Instituto Movilizador de Fondos Cooperativos and Banco Credicoop Cooperativo, Cooperativa de Portuarios del Puerto de San Martin, Cooperativa La Cruz Azul Cooperativa Obrera, Fundacion Espriu, IFFCO, Kibbutz Movement, La Segunda, Mondragon Corporation, Rabobank, Sancor Seguros, S-Group, The Midcounties Co-operative and Up Group.
-Coop News