Endorsements

United Nations

We are proud to have an endorsement of the United Nations. The letter of endorsement was provided, on behalf of the Secretary General Ban Ki-moon by the Under-Secretary-General Sha Zukang. The full letter can be seen here.

 

The International Co-operative Alliance

“I can think of no better way than to demonstrate our economic value and impact on the sustainable development of the human race now, but more importantly into the future. The Imagine 2012 conference on co-operative economics sets out to do just that and could not be better timed or more needed.”

Pauline Green, President of the International Co-operative Alliance

 

The Canadian Co-operative Association

“The CCA fully supports the value of an International Conference on Co-operative Economics and applauds the initiative of St. Mary’s to conceptualize and organize this event. This conference would be the first of its kind to bring together economists and co-operative leaders from around the world to engage in a discussion on co-operative economics. The International Year of Co-operatives in 2012, combined with the growing interest amongst economists to rethink traditional economic models, provides a perfect opportunity for dialogue and thinking on co-operative economics on a worldwide scale.

We hope your organization will want to be part of this conference by becoming a sponsor. This conference will complement other activities being undertaken by the ICA and CCA in 2012 to broaden the awareness of co-operatives amongst the public, media, and governments. If more economists and co-operative leaders understand and embrace co-operative economics after leaving this International Conference, we will be contributing a legacy that can live beyond 2012”.

Carol Hunter, Executive Director, Canadian Co-operative Association

 

The National Cooperative Business Association

“The recent financial crisis is passing from the public eye, but we have only begun to learn its lessons. The cooperative movement has a key role to play in building an economy based on meeting human needs, rather than simply creating and concentrating wealth. But we must be thoughtful.

The Imagine 2012 conference provides an unparalleled chance for cooperators to gather, step back from daily operations, and consider the deeper meaning behind our work building a cooperative economy.

This conference will be an important contribution to the International Year of Cooperatives, and I enthusiastically endorse this effort.”

Paul Hazen, CEO, National Co-operative Business Association, USA

 

National Co-operative Union of India

“Though co-operatives have done well in the past, they need to play a more vital role to ensure that the global economy is healthy. The theme of the discussion on co-operative economics is very appropriate at this juncture and NCUI appreciates the concerns raised in the proposal for the International Conference on Co-operative Economics.

 

 

The National Co-operative Union of India supports the International Conference on Co-operative Economics wholeheartedly and as the Indian spokes organization of the co-operative movement sends its greetings for the successful organization of the conference. The NCUI is optimistic there will be a fruitful discussion in this conference and that it will come out with concrete suggestions to ensure co-operatives across the globe a pivotal position in the global economy.”

Anita Manchanda, Chief Executive, National Co-operative Union of India

 

International Co-operative and Mutual Insurance Federation

“ICMIF fully supports the ‘Imagine2012′ Conference. Each country will be finding its own unique way of connecting with their general public and raising awareness of the cooperative and mutual sector in the UN International year of Cooperatives. Our sector is without doubt a vital and fast growing sector in most countries, and a sector where social values are linked with efficient businesses. Our sector has more and more resonance with the general public and 2012 is the year to show the Cooperative sector at its best, the Imagine 2012 Conference plans to do this and has our full support”

Shaun Tarbuck, Chief Executive, International Co-operative and Mutual Insurance Federation.

 

“People around the world are waking up to the idea that the current mainstream methods of organizing economic activity not only fail to meet people’s needs, they are actively undermining the basis of people’s well-being and our very survival on the planet. We have heard “There is No Alternative” for too long, and it is time — and past time! — to hear the leaders of the cooperative world and thoughtful academics say loudly, “There are many alternatives, they are working, and we should have more of them!”

The Data Commons Cooperative, whose purpose is to help its members document, publicize, and mobilize the vast panoply of actors in the cooperative and solidarity economy, fully supports the Imagine 2012 Conference, which will contribute to lifting this message of hope to the public’s consciousness.” -Statement approved by the Board of the Data Commons Cooperative

- – -

More to be announced