The International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) defines a co-operative as 'an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.'

Five broad types, or traditions, of co-operative activity have developed internationally since the mid-nineteenth century: retail (or consumer); financial (or banking); agricultural; worker; and health, housing, childcare, social and community activities. Co-operatives provide 100 million jobs worldwide, 20 per cent more than multinational enterprises.

This conference explores the history of the politics of co-operation in relation to consumer goods and financial services. Specific institutions include Starr-Bowkett societies, retail co-operatives and credit unions. There are speakers from Australia, Canada and the USA.

Registration details available at  http://blhg.econ.usyd.edu.au/CPC_conference/register.html and further details can be obtained from greg patmore at g.patmore@econ.usyd.edu.au

Programme:-

9.30-10.00 Registration

10.00 – 10.45 Welcome and Introduction

Nikola Balnave (University of Western Sydney) and Greg Patmore (The University of Sydney), “The Politics of Consumption: An overview”

10.45-11.15 Morning Tea

11.15-12.15 Overseas Perspectives

Eugene Plawiuk (Canada) “`The New Age’ Consumer Political Economics in the Early Twentieth Century; Distributism, Social Credit and the Co-operative Movement”

Steve Leikin (San Francisco State University), “Producers as Consumers: American Cooperators and the Labor Movement in the Gilded Age”

12.15-1.15 Lunch

1.15-2.45 Credit Unions and Star-Bowketts

Leanne Cutcher and Melissa Kerr (The University of Sydney) “`Not for Profit, Not for Charity, but for Service’: Co-operativeness in the face of increasing competition in the Australian Credit Union Movement”

Elizabeth Macknight (University of Melbourne), “Responses to Change: Melbourne University Credit Union 1969–2006”

Maxine Darnell (University of New England), “Attaining the Australian Dream the Starr-Bowkett Way”

2.45 – 3.15 Afternoon Tea

3.15-4.15 Co-operatives

Erik Eklund (University of Newcastle), “The Empire’s Imperial Geography: Australian co-operation as a transnational phenomenon”

Nikola Balnave (University of Western Sydney) and Greg Patmore (The University of Sydney), “Localism and Rochdale Co-operation: The Junee and District Co-operative”

4.15-4.30 Conclusion