Each for All: The Co-operative Connection

As we mention every week, our show is sponsored by the BC Institute for Co-operative Studies located here at the University of Victoria campus, in beautiful BC. Our website describes the BCICS as a catalyst for research, learning, and teaching about co-operative thought and practice through the development of Co-operative Studies as an established field of inquiry. The Institute collaborates with other post-secondary institutions, the co-operative sector, governments, individuals and communities interested in co-operatives development. The purpose of the Institute is to understand how the co-operative model functions within different contexts, and to assess the contribution co-ops make to empowering people and communities in meeting their economic and social needs and controlling forces that impact their lives.

The BCICS is involved in many projects that cover a variety of areas of research relating to the co-operative business model in theory and practice. One of the main focuses of the Institute is working with credit unions, co-operatives, and community groups to create strong and effective partnerships that support and reinforce the relationship between theory and practice.

In addition to its work with co-operatives and Co-operative Studies, the Institute has taken a leading role in studying the Social Economy in Canada. We’ve talked much about the Social Economy in the past two seasons of Each for All. The BCICS currently is host organization for the Canadian Social Economy Hub. The Hub acts as a facilitator for promoting collaboration among six regional research centers across Canada, and with International networks.

The British Columbia Institute for Co-operative Studies was started on January 1st, 2000, and this week celebrated its sixth anniversary. We thought it would be fitting to meet some of the interesting people who help make the Institute a vibrant and dynamic research center ad we can see what’s in store for us for 2007.

Today I have with me in the studio the enigmatic Joy Emmanuel, BCICS Project Coordinator, and Annie “The Machine” McKitrick, Project Coordinator for the Canadian Social Economy Hub.

Thank you both for joining me today.

Joy talks about:

1. BCICS and some of the Projects Coordinating for 2007
2. Co-operative In the New Economy (INE)
3. Best Practices
4. Peace and Co-ops
5. Situating Co-ops

Annie talks about:

1. A brief definition of what is the Social Economy in Canada.
2. Projects and events the CSEHub has planned for 2007
3. CIRIEC Conference
4. Telelearning