Timing Right for International Year of Co-operatives, says Kathy Bardswick

The United Nations declared 2012 the International Year of Co-operatives (IYC) three years ago, and Kathy Bardswick says “we couldn’t have timed it better,” given the current public discussions around disengagement in the world.

In 2009, the world was working its way through the economic crisis but “we are really struggling with far more fundamental systemic issues today,” says Kathy, president and CEO of The Co-operators Group and an International Co-operative Alliance board member.

	Kathy Bardswick

People dying for democracy in the Middle East as well as the occupy movements have coalesced to an environment that is conducive to spreading the co-op message, she says.

As the world becomes more complex and interrelated there can be fear that comes with uncertainty, she says, noting the way to combat this is knowledge and a sense of engagement or ownership so people have the ability to manage their destiny.

It’s important to let people know that they can make a difference, get involved, engage and use their voice and influence on an individual, community and global level, says Kathy.

Her wish for 2012 is co-ops reconnect with the “bone-deep passionate sense of pride in who we are as co-operatives.”

Over the past decade some co-operatives have chosen to not call themselves co-ops because they think the term won't resonate with the greater community, which is a concern, says Kathy. Rather than drop the name, Kathy says perhaps co-operatives are not communicating the right message.

With the world “desperately in need” of an alternative, Kathy suggests co-ops reconnect, put co-op back in their name, advertise it, get into the media and use new mediums to ensure co-ops become the growing economic model.

Speaking with Axiom News in Calgary following the Canadian IYC launch, Kathy notes while the sector can get together for this type of event and connect, that isn't what will broaden and deepen awareness.

“If we don’t hold ourselves up as an alternative they are not going to find us no matter how hard we try,” says Kathy.

She adds co-ops need to re-establish their commitment to have co-operation amongst co-operators and connect more.

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