The Martlet

Experts on economic sustainability and cooperative communities convened in the Student Union Building’s (SUB) Michele Pujol Room on Oct. 16 to urge the audience to rethink the way we all work and do business.

The forum, entitled “Sustainability Through the Co-operative Economy,” lectured on the emergence of cooperative economies around the world — communities that use jointly-owned enterprises to provide for common needs — and how they can be used as models of well-being and cooperation.

“Co-ops are developing everywhere,” said Ana Maria Peredo, director of the B.C. Institute for Co-operative Studies (BCICS). “And we have a great opportunity — especially with the economic crisis ... to look at the economy in an entirely different way.”

Co-ops exist in B.C. to serve just about any need. There are housing co-ops that build affordable housing, such as Roofs and Roots in Victoria. There are medical co-ops, such as Victoria Community Health, which provide accessible health services and education. There are various social co-ops that support and give a voice to minorities. And there are a plethora of consumer co-ops that provide cheaper groceries, gas, or other necessities to a member.

Peredo studies communities whose entire economy is based on co-ops, and sees their philosophy as the key to a sustainable economy.

“We need to stop thinking our own way ... and think of everyone’s business as part of the community,” she said.

Peredo suggested creating a co-operative economy in our own area would be a win-win scenario. We could help each other meet similar goals, foster community spirit, serve as mentors to the younger generation, and “create a shared feeling of community well-being.”

Another speaker suggested that co-operatives have the potential to create a “green economy” — one that protects the environment by having an educated workforce that’s willing to act in the best interest of the community.

“A lot of jobs that we see in the past and present contribute to social and ecological degradation,” said Emily Menzies of the Youth Climate Leadership Alliance.

Menzies said young people today can find career paths in any discipline that help preserve and assist the environment.

“We need to shift from a grey economy ... and we need to see green jobs as all types of jobs,” she said.

The experts spoke to an audience of students and community members, focusing their energy on convincing youth to get involved and make decisions that better economic and environmental sustainability.

“The co-op movement is enjoying a renaissance because of the involvement of young people ... and their thirst for knowledge,” said Ian MacPherson, founder of BCICS.

The event came during co-op week, when supporters of the movement focus on educating the public, and celebrating their achievements. It was presented by BCICS, UVic and the South Islands Regional Co-op Council.