This year, the policy consultation will seek to update our policy offering on international development and expand our existing work on ‘peace and co-operation’. Since its inception, the co-operative movement has been a force for good across the world. Starting from Toad Lane in Rochdale, the co-operative movement has become a global movement of over 1 billion members. Co-operatives and mutuals have a presence in almost every country, and the combined co-operative economy is equivalent to the eighth largest economy on earth.
The Co-operative Party strongly believe in the power of the co-operative movement to make a positive impact in times of global conflict and insecurity. Ongoing conflicts across the world present a challenge for all of us. Co-operatives have proven to be a way of building bridges between communities and uniting people post-conflict. Whether it’s the women’s coffee co-operatives in Rwanda or Wahat Al Salam Neve Shalom, the Israeli-Palestinian peace village, the co-operative model has become a way of bringing people together.
Co-operative leadership will be vital in a changing world of international development and aid. The last few years have seen a significant shift in international development policy and aid, driven by increasing defence spending to meet rising insecurity and conflict. Reduced international development budgets across many G20 countries has made it much more difficult for many developing nations which are reliant on international aid spending. It is vital policies are in place to maximise international development spending impact in times of ongoing budget reductions and global insecurity.
We want to hear from our members, branches and networks on how the UK can support the growth of the global co-operative movement and establish an effective international development strategy in these times of global uncertainty.
Members are invited to share their views and ideas through our consultation, running until Friday 31st July.
Promoted by Joe Fortune on behalf of the Co-operative Party, both at Unit 13, 83 Crampton Street, London, SE17 3BQ, United Kingdom. Co-operative Party Limited is a registered Society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014. Registered no. 30027R.
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