Representatives from over 96 co-operative organisations from 22 countries met in Cali, Colombia, for the board meeting of Co-operatives of the Americas. The meeting, which took place on 18-19 May, focused on three key topics: finance, gender equality and youth.
Co-operatives of the Americas’ sectoral committees organised three workshops that looked at Risk and co-operative governance; Creating a space for youth participation; and Preventing and responding to gender violence.
Referring to the three thematic workshops, Co-operatives of the Americas president, Ramón Imperial, told a local paper: “Given the tendencies within the global economy, it appears that wealth is more and more concentrates in a few hands, which means that co-operatives have still a lot to do to fulfil our mission, which consists in really helping people.”
Alfredo Arana Velasco, executive president of Coomeva co-operative in Colombia, also said the fact that country had been chosen to host the event showed confidence in it and its solidarity economy. He argued that technological developments had enabled co-operatives to play an even bigger role in financial inclusion.
Photo: delegates at the meeting in Cali
