Ethos Public Relations Manchester

Groundbreaking vision for the co-operative sector released for discussion

by Ethos public relations

Co-operatives UK is seeking comments and debate on a radical vision of how the co-operative sector can expand into the 21st Century.

The groundbreaking document, Co-operation in the age of Google, was written by Robin Murray – a co-operative innovator and key thinker behind Fairtrade and Twin Trading – and is open for comment by members of Co-operatives UK until 12 February 2011.

Co-operation in the age of Google shows that we are living at a time of profound transformation. The information and communication revolution, widespread concerns about private sector greed, public sector finances and impending climate chaos present a wide range of possibilities for co-operative expansion.

But Robin says that the co-operative sector is not yet in a position to make the most of these opportunities. It needs to be more innovative, more integrated, more internationalist, to get better infrastructure for developing the sector and to find ‘the idea’ that can mobilise support for co-operation.

The review proposes a series of practical initiatives for 2011 and 2012 to strengthen the co-operative sector.

In true co-operative fashion, the document is open to members of Co-operatives UK, for comments, alternative suggestions, improvements, counter-arguments, examples and photos. It can be accessed at www.uk.coop/ageofgoogle.

Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, said: “The co-operative sector has a history of taking stock and moving forward through independent reviews and commissions. This report, a thorough going analysis from one of today's leading industrial economists, is a gift to co-operators across the UK.

"This is an independent report, and at times quite controversial, so we want to incorporate the views of our members before it goes further. Robin views it as an open source project, so in that vein this is the beta version to be shared and amended by the co-operative sector."

Posted at 25^th November 2010