International Co-operative Alliance Global Conference and General Assembly: The Topics at the Centre of the International Dialogue

The cooperative movement gathered, for the International Co-operative Alliance Global Conference and General Assembly “Co-operatives: Putting people at the centre of development”, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 14-17 November 2017. More than 1,800 delegates from over 70 countries were present, representing national and sectoral federations, providing an effective demonstration of the breadth and variety of the cooperative movement at the global level. From the assembly it emerged a picture of the variety and diversity of the cooperative movement that brings into light both strengths and weaknesses. Upending the way in which cooperatives see themselves, the main problem does not seem to be obtaining resources for development, but rather the capacity to elaborate and implement new ideas. Cooperation has all the tools for anticipating new trends but is not able to prevent others from taking ownership and advantage of them with more breadth and speed. Placing attention on the capacity for innovation should be the priority for assuring a future for the cooperative model.