JULY 13 HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA Yesterday marked the passing of Elinor Ostrom, professor of political science at Indiana University (US) and the first woman to win the Nobel prize for Economics. Tom Webb announced Ostrom’s death to the organizers of the Imagine 2012 International Conference on Cooperative Economics taking place this October in Quebec City. Dr. Ostrom was slated as the Keynote Speaker.
“The world has lost a great human being, and we extend our deepest sympathies to her family and her many friends,” said Webb, who is coordinating Imagine 2012 for Saint Mary’s University, which is co-sponsor with the Desjardins Group and the International Co-operative Alliance.
“But what we have not lost,” he continued, “is her life’s work, her study of the Commons and how people in groups make sound economic decisions. This is why we were so fortunate that she agreed to deliver the opening address at the Imagine 2012 cooperative economics conference. We will instead use that time in a way that will best honor Dr. Ostrom’s contribution to building a better world.”
For continually updated information on Imagine 2012 and the International Summit on Cooperatives (Oct. 6-11, Quebec City, Canada): www.imagine2012.coop and www.2012intlsummit.coop
