At the end of each year, we ask co-op and mutual leaders from around the world to reflect on their organisation and sector – and this year, on the UN International Year of Cooperatives theme: Co-ops Build a Better World. Read the December 2024 Q&As here.
How do co-ops build a better world?
Co-ops play a critical role helping to build a better world by aligning like minded individuals, businesses, organisations etc to work to a common purpose and vision whilst underpinned by ethical and inclusive values and principles. No one should underestimate both the power and potential of values-driven business models to achieve positive change, and co-ops are the ideal vehicle to deliver that. In our own sphere, agricultural co-ops in Scotland and beyond can play their role in building a better world by continuing to provide affordable and quality food and in a sustainable manner by mitigating the effects of climate change, restoring nature and sustaining local rural communities.
What should the International Year of Cooperatives achieve – and how is your organisation working toward that?
The International Year of Cooperatives should be used to significantly raise the profile of existing
co-operative ventures across the world and their force for good. It should be used to demonstrate that co-ops are more relevant than ever and how they can play a key role as economic, environmental and social catalysts within our local, national and global economies. The Year should also improve education about what co-ops are and de-myth some of the uninformed or naïve perceptions of what co-ops are or are not. I believe that we have ‘a co-op image problem’ in Scotland and the UK more widely – not a negative reputational one but more about lack of awareness and ignorance of the co-op business model.
SAOS will be using our channels and networks within the agricultural and food sector to promote the International Year and tackle some of these education and awareness ‘image’ challenges by promoting both the features and benefits of our 55 co-op members. We will also use this milestone to outline our vision of how more co-operation within our food and farming space can help our sector collectively capitalise on market opportunities through supply of sustainable food and drink products within Scotland, the UK and internationally.
