To mark the 2012 United Nations International Year of Co-operatives, Desjardins Group, International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) and St. Mary’s University are hosting a summit that will bring together co-operatives and mutuals from around the world. This event, called the 2012 International Summit of Cooperatives, is taking place in Quebec City, from Monday, October 8 to Thursday, October 11, 2012.

The theme of the event is The Amazing Power of Cooperatives, and its mission is to offer solutions that will promote the development and performance of co-ops and mutuals so that they are better prepared to meet economic and financial challenges.

The Summit program will feature more than 125 speakers, and will focus on the following key themes:

• The role of cooperatives and mutuals in the global economy;
• Cooperatives and mutuals: a successful business model;
• Cooperatives and mutuals: a changing business model; and
• The sociopolitical influence of cooperatives and mutuals.

Call for scientific paper proposals from co-operative researchers

Researchers interested in co-operative and mutualist issues are invited to submit proposals for scientific papers to stimulate discussion and debate at the 2012 Summit. The deadline for proposals is March 26, 2012. Click here to find out more.

Click here to view the latest issue of the official Summit newsletter, or visit the 2012 International Summit of Co-operatives website for more information and to register.