Councillor Chris Penberthy – Co-operative Leadership in a changing world

• 7th Sep 2016
• Governance, Social Outcomes

Society is at a crossroads. Political structures are being challenged. Economic systems are failing. People are feeling increasingly isolated and marginalised. The largest multinationals seem to be calling the shots and individuals seems less able than ever to influence what is going on around them. Whilst the world becomes increasingly a global village its citizens appear to increasingly want to relate to their immediate communities. We are consuming resources faster than we can generate them, yet still people go without. Xenophobia, hatred and greed are on the increase in a society where the individual can perceive themselves as sovereign.

If nothing changes we are heading for a major crisis and we need an answer. We need an answer that works for people, that builds communities, that sustains the planet, that works economically and that enables good governance.

Today co-operatives around the world employ 250 million people, and the largest 300 co-operatives generate $2.4 trillion (US) in turnover while providing the services and infrastructure society needs to thrive. As member-owned, member-run and member-serving businesses, co-operatives empower people to collectively realize their economic aspirations, while strengthening their social and human capital and developing their communities. Co-operatives contribute to sustainable economic growth and stable, quality employment – within the G20 countries, co-operative employment makes up almost 12 % of the total employed population.

 

History repeats itself. Whilst no point in history looks like today, there are parallels. At times of austerity and crisis it is often people coming together and working together for win-win solutions that produces radical new ways forward. The history of co-operation shows how radical these solutions can be. Today we need this radical approach to reach beyond economics.

With a philosophy that is both economic and social it is not surprising that within the co-operative movement Councillors who are also co-operators are seeking to do their bit to further this agenda. Over recent years we have seen some local councils taking major steps in making co-operation real. Whether in the way young people shape the services and commission the services that they receive; the development of new approaches to community energy; addressing issues of food poverty and children’s nutrition; giving local people a greater involvement in the shaping of the places where they live, work and play; or in supporting local residents to take control of assets and their economic futures; or in a myriad of other ways we have begun to see the co-operative ideal make a radical difference in town halls and, more importantly, local communities across the country.

The values and principles that co-operators hold dear were forged in times of difficulty by ordinary people. Growing from their endeavour we have international and national structures that support co-operation and cooperative development; we have academic thinkers, historians, educationalists and communicators telling our story; we have a political party with local and national representation; we even have councils exploring how the International Co-operative Alliance values and principles can change the way they work. But, in this melee of activity, do we have leadership?

The challenges the world faces are huge – it’s time for co-operators to start thinking bigger…

• How can the reach and influence of co-operators change not only economics but the very societal structures and norms we all experience?
• How can we build on our co-operative values and principles to change our communities by closing the democratic deficit, encouraging participation, sharing the benefits of economic growth and building a more sustainable future?
• What does leadership in this radical revolution look like – and how can we put it in place locally, nationally, globally?

 

Councillor Chris Penberthy
Plymouth City Council Shadow Cabinet Member for Co-operatives and Housing
Labour and Co-operative – St Peter and the Waterfront
He is Chair of the CCIN Values and Principles Board

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @ChrisPenberthy