Co-operatives are more resilient to crisis that other forms of enterprise according to a recent study commissioned to the ICA by the International Labour Office (ILO)( Birchall, Johnston and Hammond, Lou. Resilience of the Co-operative Business Model in Times of Crisis,International Labour Organization, 2009, pp 37). Financial cooperatives have remained financially sound; agricultural co-operatives in many parts of the world are showing surpluses; consumer co-operatives are reporting increased turnover; and worker co-operatives are seeing growth. People are increasingly choosing the co-operative form of enterprise to respond to the new economic realities.
Why are co-operative able to survive and indeed thrive in crisis and beyond?It is the model. Co-operative enterprise is an alternative business model which instead of focusing on profit, focuses on people by aggregating the market power of people while guiding its operations on the basis of the co-operative values and principles.
In many countries and in many sectors around the world, co-operative enterprise is growing in membership, capital and turnover. Co-operatives are contributing in a significant way to maintaining and creating new jobs and thus securing family incomes. They are ensuring that prices stay reasonable and that consumer retail goods, food, and services remain safe, reliable and of a good quality. Co-operative financial institutions have seen a capital influx as consumers recognise the safety and reliability of credit unions, co-operative banks and cooperative insurers who in many cases have also continued to provide credit to individuals and small businesses. By doing so, they are demonstrating that co-operative business is sustainable and that enterprises having ethical values at heart that can be successful and contribute to sustainable economic recovery.
Economists, academia and the international community are desperate for answers on how to stimulate a global recovery, and in doing so are beginning to question the current economic model which has lost the confidence of policy-makers as well as the average person. They are look at regulating markets and financial institutions in particular to ensure a more ethical and transparent operation. In their quest, however, they are also rediscovering and recognising the potential of co-operatives in contributing significantly to a new economic system.
Many governments are now considering the co-operative option in this new economic environment whether it be to stimulate agricultural productivity or to reorganise national social protection systems as seen by the recent debate in the United States reform of the health-care system and the proposal to create health co-operatives. They are also recognising the contribution that they can make to driving recovery in their countries and so are increasingly encouraging their citizens to look at co-operative enterprise for their finances, to increase their productivity and for their general well-being.
The Co-operative Movement will need to work with policy-makers to ensure that they recognise the particular nature of co-operatives. They should not be over-regulated, and their essentially risk-averse nature should be understood. A consistent and well articulated policy response is crucial to ensure that they are not disadvantaged by changes in the regulatory environment. Only with appropriate policies will co-operatives continue to be able to drive global recovery.
Although some analysts are saying the worst is over for the global economy and a recovery is likely to begin later this year, the recession is and will impact all enterprises. Many cooperatives will be tempted to focus on survival at any cost – even foregoing their co-operative nature, but there is mounting evidence to demonstrate that putting co-operative values and principles in practice may be the deciding factor for long-term sustainability. Now is the time to stress the co-operative nature.
The co-operative movement faces an unparalleled opportunity. It must rise to the challenge to demonstrate that the co-operative model of enterprise is an alternative business model that is the better business model for the future. Co-operatives are demonstrating that they not only drive economic development, but also economic and political democracy and social responsibility. Co-operatives offer a fairer way of doing business where social and environmental values count not as something you do if you can afford to do so, but that simply are the part of the way you do business.
On this International Day of Co-operatives, the ICA calls on co-operators throughout the world to strengthen their commitments to their co-operative values and principles, celebrate their success in these difficult times, and work in partnership to ensure that they continue driving global recovery around the world.
Monday 6 July 2009
The Unfinished Battle For LGBT Equality
It was very interesting to hear the comments By Peter Tatchell of OutRage as it has been sometime that he has spoken out, I say well done.
In less than decade, the government has legislated astonishing, huge improvements in LGBT human rights, such as equalising the age of consent, introducing civil partnerships, repealing Section 28, outlawing homophobic discrimination and allowing same-sex couples to adopt children.
These stunning reforms have been won in an amazingly short period of time. Centuries of homophobic laws have been wiped from the statute books since 1999. This would have never happened if the Tories had remained in power. The Labour government – and pro-LGBT MPs from all parties – deserve our praise and gratitude.
But these progressive changes are no excuse for the government’s apparent endorsement of several remaining pockets of homophobic discrimination. The battle for equal rights is not yet won.
The current Equality Bill protects against harassment, except on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. The government and the National Blood Service have a blanket lifetime ban on blood donations from any man who has ever had oral or anal sex with another man – even once, 50 years ago and even if they test HIV-negative.
Same-sex marriage is still illegal. Civil partnerships are not equality. Separate laws are not equal laws. Even if, like me, you are critical of the institution of marriage, to ban LGBT couples from getting married is an act of bare-faced homophobic discrimination. It is a system of sexual apartheid. We now have a situation where lesbians and gays are banned from civil marriage (homophobia) and straights are banned from civil partnerships (heterophobia). This exclusionist two-tiered system of partnership law is not equality. It perpetuates and extends discrimination. Marriage is the gold standard. Civil partnerships are second best.
The Home Office is refusing asylum to LGBT refugees who have been jailed, tortured and raped in countries like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jamaica, Iran, Algeria, Zimbabwe and Uganda. It says they won’t be at risk of arrest and murder if they go back home, change their names, hide their sexuality and behave 'with discretion'. Accordingly, it is ordering the deportation of LGBT refugees, despite the danger they could be imprisoned or killed on return to their home countries.
The police and the Crown Prosecution Service permit record stores and radio stations to promote CDs by homophobic reggae singers who openly advocate the murder of queers. The Home Secretary gives these singers visa and work permits. Government ministers would never tolerate similar 'murder music' against Jewish or black people. Why aren't LGBT people entitled to the same legal protection?
Section 28 may have been repealed, but many schools are failing to challenge homophobic and transphobic bullying. This bullying affects both LGBT pupils and LGBT staff. For many of them, school is not a safe space. Verbal or physical abuse is experienced by around two-thirds of LGBT school kids. LGBT teachers are also often subjected to taunts, ridicule and threats by homophobic pupils. They do not always get support and back-up from other teaching staff.
Unlike racism, homophobia is still frequently tolerated in the classroom and playground. “Gay” has become a commonplace taunt. Most schools don’t bother to discipline offenders.
To its credit, the government says that the education system should challenge all forms of prejudice, to ensure that schools are inclusive, safe environments for youngsters and teachers from all backgrounds. But then it contradicted this commitment by recently exempting faith schools from its curriculum guidelines; allowing them to continue to teach sex and relationship education in accordance with their anti-gay religious values.
The reality is that too few schools of any kind impart an understanding of LGBT people and issues. The needs and welfare of LGBT pupils are rarely addressed in sex education and HIV prevention lessons. Safer sex information often ignores the specific risks faced by LGBT young people. It invariably focuses on heterosexual relationships, to the neglect of same-sex ones.
These are a few issues where the government could have overturned homophobia, but has instead chosen to maintain discrimination. The government says it is committed to LGBT equality, but on some issues it has failed to deliver.
What can you do? Protest to your MP and to the Prime Minister. Ask for their support to remedy these injustices. Together, we can and will overcome these final barriers to LGBT equality.
In less than decade, the government has legislated astonishing, huge improvements in LGBT human rights, such as equalising the age of consent, introducing civil partnerships, repealing Section 28, outlawing homophobic discrimination and allowing same-sex couples to adopt children.
These stunning reforms have been won in an amazingly short period of time. Centuries of homophobic laws have been wiped from the statute books since 1999. This would have never happened if the Tories had remained in power. The Labour government – and pro-LGBT MPs from all parties – deserve our praise and gratitude.
But these progressive changes are no excuse for the government’s apparent endorsement of several remaining pockets of homophobic discrimination. The battle for equal rights is not yet won.
The current Equality Bill protects against harassment, except on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. The government and the National Blood Service have a blanket lifetime ban on blood donations from any man who has ever had oral or anal sex with another man – even once, 50 years ago and even if they test HIV-negative.
Same-sex marriage is still illegal. Civil partnerships are not equality. Separate laws are not equal laws. Even if, like me, you are critical of the institution of marriage, to ban LGBT couples from getting married is an act of bare-faced homophobic discrimination. It is a system of sexual apartheid. We now have a situation where lesbians and gays are banned from civil marriage (homophobia) and straights are banned from civil partnerships (heterophobia). This exclusionist two-tiered system of partnership law is not equality. It perpetuates and extends discrimination. Marriage is the gold standard. Civil partnerships are second best.
The Home Office is refusing asylum to LGBT refugees who have been jailed, tortured and raped in countries like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jamaica, Iran, Algeria, Zimbabwe and Uganda. It says they won’t be at risk of arrest and murder if they go back home, change their names, hide their sexuality and behave 'with discretion'. Accordingly, it is ordering the deportation of LGBT refugees, despite the danger they could be imprisoned or killed on return to their home countries.
The police and the Crown Prosecution Service permit record stores and radio stations to promote CDs by homophobic reggae singers who openly advocate the murder of queers. The Home Secretary gives these singers visa and work permits. Government ministers would never tolerate similar 'murder music' against Jewish or black people. Why aren't LGBT people entitled to the same legal protection?
Section 28 may have been repealed, but many schools are failing to challenge homophobic and transphobic bullying. This bullying affects both LGBT pupils and LGBT staff. For many of them, school is not a safe space. Verbal or physical abuse is experienced by around two-thirds of LGBT school kids. LGBT teachers are also often subjected to taunts, ridicule and threats by homophobic pupils. They do not always get support and back-up from other teaching staff.
Unlike racism, homophobia is still frequently tolerated in the classroom and playground. “Gay” has become a commonplace taunt. Most schools don’t bother to discipline offenders.
To its credit, the government says that the education system should challenge all forms of prejudice, to ensure that schools are inclusive, safe environments for youngsters and teachers from all backgrounds. But then it contradicted this commitment by recently exempting faith schools from its curriculum guidelines; allowing them to continue to teach sex and relationship education in accordance with their anti-gay religious values.
The reality is that too few schools of any kind impart an understanding of LGBT people and issues. The needs and welfare of LGBT pupils are rarely addressed in sex education and HIV prevention lessons. Safer sex information often ignores the specific risks faced by LGBT young people. It invariably focuses on heterosexual relationships, to the neglect of same-sex ones.
These are a few issues where the government could have overturned homophobia, but has instead chosen to maintain discrimination. The government says it is committed to LGBT equality, but on some issues it has failed to deliver.
What can you do? Protest to your MP and to the Prime Minister. Ask for their support to remedy these injustices. Together, we can and will overcome these final barriers to LGBT equality.
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