Building Co-operative Futures

In May 2003, the BCICS hosted a forum for co-operatively minded young people. The
word “young” has been used as an operative term, and
although the conference was originally intended for people aged
18 to 25, those who have registered range in age from 17 to 44.
Participants were involved in plenary sessions, workshops, and
listened to “True Stories” about Canadian co-operatives. Active participation and interaction during
presentations and in workshops contributed to the overall
success of the forum. Facilitators include Greg MacLeod, of the
University College of Cape Breton; John Restakis, Manager of BC Co-operative Association; and Linda
Shaw and Mervyn Wilson of the Co-operative College, United Kingdom. The conference attracted over 70 people from a variety of countries,
including: Canada, Colombia, Iran, Japan, Spain, the United Kingdom,
and the United States. After 2003 the forum became an annual event.

• 2nd Annual (BCF 2004) hosted by the Rural Education and Development
  Association, Calgary, Alberta
• 3rd Annual (BCF 2005) hosted by the
  Saskatchewan Co-operative Association, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
• 4th Annual (BCF 2006) hosted by the The Co-operative College, Manchester, England
• 5th Annual (BCF 2007) hosted by the Ontario Co-operative Association, Guelph, Ontario
• 6th Annual (BCF 2008) hosted by the BC Co-operative Association and BCICS, Vancouver, B.C.