During the 6th Summit of the Cooperatives of the Americas co-operators of the region had the opportunity to debate the future of the cooperative movement based on the new world context and its role within the international community. The ILO was asked how the cooperative identity has changed in the last four years in relation to the UN Sustainable Development Agenda 2030, in light of the global challenges around digitization, economic reactivation and integration, sustainability and climate change.

Ms Esim noted the relevance of the cooperative values and principles to the social and solidarity economy (SSE) which came out clearly in the general discussion leading to the adoption of a resolution on decent work and the SSE adopted at the 110th session of the International Labour Conference in June 2022. She outlined two trends that are underway. The first is around the cooperative movement opening up to reach out to younger generations, and to the SSE movement. The second is the trend around the cooperative movement protecting its identity against pseudo cooperative practices. She concluded by pointing out that the good practices and lessons learned from the America region on both counts can inform similar efforts in other regions.

The session continued with young cooperators asking Martin Lowery, the Chairman of the Committee on Cooperative Identity of the International Cooperative Alliance, two questions. One was on his thoughts on Ms Esim’s presentation and the second on how to prepare young people to lead the cooperative movement in the coming decades.

Ms. Esim’s presentation can be viewed here.