The International Summit of Cooperatives aims to place young people on an equal footing with other co-operative leaders. The Summit, which runs from 6 to 9 October in Quebec, will gather academics, co-operators and business experts who will examine the challenges and opportunities faced by the movement. For the second edition of the event, the Summit’s team is running a Young Leaders Program that will enable young people to gain professional experience and extend their network.
The Young Leaders Program is open to co-operative leaders of 35 and under who wish to participate in the Summit. The package includes an opening act exclusively for young leaders, three breakfast conferences and a networking event where young leaders will have the opportunity to present the work of their co-ops and the projects they are doing. Young people registering with the Young Leaders get a discount of CAD $600 on original price.
Lara Emond, co-ordinator of the Young Leaders Program, says the vision of the Summit is to “include youth as being part of the international community of co-operatives.” The Summit also features presentations from some young leaders.
“In that way they are on an equal footing with other co-operative leaders,” she said. This year’s Young Leaders Program builds on the Future Leaders Program of the 2012 edition of the Summit.
“Many young people are already leaders within their co-operatives. While there is consistency with the first edition of the Summit, more activities will enable young people to build networks and establish new connections at this year’s edition”, explained Ms Emond.
By attending the Summit young people could also find out about the practices of big co-operatives and gain a more international perspective of the Co-operative Movement.
“They will be the first to learn about research studies that can be very valuable information for young leaders in co-ops and help them move forward. We are expecting 200 young leaders from around the globe,” said Lara Emond.
One of the young leaders due to speak at the Summit is Gabriela Buffa, youth representative on the board of the International Co-operative Alliance. She will be engaging with other young leaders at one of the Summit’s conference breakfast.
“I think the Summit is a great opportunity to engage with young people. But we need to continue to do this after the Summit. If the Summit resulted in a commitment to increasing youth involvement in co-operatives, then that would be extremely valuable,” she said.
Photo: young leaders of the Future Leaders Program in Quebec, 2012.
