FROM PRINCIPLE TO PRACTICE:
Co-Designing the
Co-operative Sector of the Future
From January to March 2023, in partnership with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) experts and inclusive design professionals, OCA hosted a three-part webinar series which explored some of the key systemic barriers that currently exist for those wanting to develop, or those currently operating a co-operative, and how we can collectively overcome those barriers through the creation of practices and policies that will make our businesses and the co-operative sector more inclusive.
This series of compelling conversations challenged us to look inward to re-discover our co-operative identity through a DEI lens, and work towards building a more inclusive future for the co-operative sector.
Wherever you currently are on your own DEI journey, we invite you to review our Principle 8 Reflection Document, where you will find a summary of the insights and information gathered throughout our 3-part webinar series.
Guest speakers Susanna Redekop and Christine Clarke from Freedom Dreams Co-operative Education, led us through an exploration on how to incorporate DEI practices into Co-operative Principle 1: Voluntary and Open Membership.
We encourage you to view the session recording and resources below, to learn more about how you can can start a conversation on what your organization is currently doing, and how it can evolve to expand the principle to include a DEI scope.
During our second session, we explored some of the key systemic barriers that exist for under-represented groups wanting to develop – or those currently operating - a co-operative, and how we can collectively overcome them, through practices and policies that will make our businesses and the co-operative sector more inclusive. Guest speakers included Esther Enyolu, Executive Director of the Women's Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre, and Juliet 'Kego Ume-Onyido, Director and Co-Founder of the Black Women's Professional Worker Co-operative.
We encourage you to view the session recording and resources below, to learn more about how you can can start a conversation on what your organization is currently doing, and how it can evolve to expand the principle to include a DEI scope.
