Proposed Event at the Organization of American States

DRAFT September 4, 2013

ACB

PROPOSED EVENT AT THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES

“Cooperatives in the Americas: Driving Economic Growth with Equity and Inclusion”

Proposed Date:March 20, 2014

Venue/Format: Organization of American StatesHall of the Americas, morning and afternoon sessions, panel discussions and keynotes

Hosts: OAS, National Cooperative Business Association, International Cooperative Alliance, Americas Region (ICA Americas)

Sponsors: TBD

Participants: Approximately 100-150 participants from the cooperative movement throughout the Americas; multilaterals, diplomatic community, private sector, NGOs, and Washington-based organizations.

Proposed Agenda:

9:00 a.m.Opening Session: Cooperatives—An Economic and Social Force in the Americas

Speaker:Secretary General of the OAS, José Miguel Insulza

9:15 a.m.Overview of Cooperatives in the Americas

Speaker:Manuel Marino, Regional Director, ICA-Americas(confirmed)

9:45 a.m.Panel 1: How Cooperatives are Achieving Growth and Social Inclusion

Every sector of the region’s economies are impacted by cooperatives—agriculture, energy, public services, housing, healthcare, insurance, financial services, and consumer goods. This interactive session will provide examples of cooperative impact on local and national economies, and how the cooperative principles and social impact set them apart from other forms of business.

(Amy Coughenour – rewrite description to include YOUTH/WOMEN)

Moderator: Sherry Tross, Executive Secretary, SEDI, OAS

Suggested Speakers: Michael Beall, National Cooperative Business Association, International, United States

Housing Sector:FUCVAM – Uruguay /FUNDASAL – El Salvador (to be confirmed)

Agriculture Sector:Marcio Lopes de Freitas, President OCB – Brazil / Representantive, AFA – Argentina (to be confirmed) Possibly move to Panel 3

InsuranceSector:Seguros Múltiples – Puerto Rico/ Hector Cordova,Seguros Futuros – El Salvador/ La Equidad Seguros – Colombia (to be confirmed)

Women/Youth Committee: ICA-Americas Youth Committee (to be confirmed)

11:00 a.m.Coffee Break

11:15 a.m.How Cooperatives Are Competing in the Global Economy: Shared Services, Quality Products

Moderator:

Featured Speaker: Howard Brodsky, President and CEO of CCA Global, an international purchasing co-operative group

Moderated Audience Discussion with Mr. Brodsky

12:00 noonLunch

1:00 p.m.Panel 2: Barriers and Opportunities for Cooperative Growth in the Americas

Despite cooperatives’ positive impact on economic and social indicators, they still face considerable challenges. Regulatory barriers, legislative gaps, and tax and status challenges all limit the enabling environment for cooperative in many countries. This panel will discuss the approach of various sectors in several countries of overcoming barriers and positioning cooperatives for growing opportunities in the region and globally.

Moderator: Maryse Roberts, OAS

Suggested Speakers:

Utility Sector:Ariel Guarco, President, Confederación de Cooperativas de la República de Argentina (COOPERAR) (confirmed)

Healthcare Sector:Eudes de Freitas Aquino – President, Unimed – Brazil(confirmed)

Credit Unions/Financial cooperatives:Suzanne Gendron, Desjardin, Managing Vice-president Cooperation and Corporate Affairs Administrative Division

Worker coops:Rebecca Kemble, Prisident CICOPA (confirmed)/ or José Orbaiceta, President CICOPA-Mercosur (confirmed)

2:15 pmCoffee Break

2:45 p.m.Panel 3: Cooperative to Cooperative Trade and Collaboration

Cooperatives have long been seen as local member-owned businesses that grow out of needs in a particular market. However, there is growing recognition that cooperatives can strengthen each other by doing business together at the local, national, regional, and even international levels. This panel will highlight cooperatives that are trading with each other, cross-promoting cooperative products and services, and living the 6thcooperative principle of helping other cooperatives.

Moderator: Amy Coughenour Betancourt, NCBA CLUSA International, Coop to Coop Trade

Suggested Speakers:

Fair Trade: xxx

ConsumerSector:Cooperativa Obrera, Argentina / COOP, Brazil (to be confirmed)

Agriculture Sector: FECOPROD – Paraguay/ Co-op. Victoria, Naranjo or Atenas – Costa Rica / AFA, Argentina(to be confirmed)

4:00 p.m. Blueprint for a Cooperative Decade in the Americas and Around the World

Speaker:Dame Pauline Green, President, International Cooperative Alliance

4:30 p.m.Setting a Cooperative Agenda for the Americas: Next Steps

Speaker: Ramon Imperial, President, ACI Americas

Moderator: xxx

Moderated Audience Discussion

5:00 p.m.End event