The 5th Convention on Co-operative Banks entitled "Co-operative banks : reconciling economic and social needs" will take place on the 6th December 2012 at the Bibliothèque Solvay in Brussels, in the context of the United Nations’ International Year of Co-operatives (IYC) with its motto “co-operative enterprises build a better world”.
At European level, the Single Market Act has triggered a number of initiatives within the EU institutions, and stakeholders are looking with interest at co-operatives and co-operative banks as sustainable models for the economy. In this context, the 5th Convention will provide an opportunity to highlight the values and role of co-operative banks in reconciling economic and social needs. It will also provide a platform to discuss policy recommendations in line with the co-operative business model. The overall aim of the event will be to highlight and discuss the sector’s commitment to social, environmental and development goals in line with the UN International Year of Co-operatives and the Europe 2020 strategy for more balanced, sustainable and social market-based growth in Europe.
Three round tables will discuss this issue from different perspectives, focusing on a number of key questions: What are the specific and unique characteristics of co-operative banks? How do they contribute to meeting social, environmental and governance goals? How do the EU, international institutions, academics and stakeholders view co-operative banks and what do they expect from them? What does the future hold for the sector? What challenges do co-operative banks face in light of the new EU regulatory framework?
Confirmed speakers include:
Michel Barnier, Member of the European Commission, Responsible for Internal Market and Services
Daniel Calleja, Director General, DG Enterprise and Industry, European Commission
Nadia Calvino, Deputy Director General, Internal Market and Services, European Commission
Sven Giegold, MEP, Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, European Parliament
Pauline Green, President, International Co-operative Alliance-ICA
Monique Leroux, President & CEO, Caisse Desjardins Group
Gerhard Stahl, Secretary General, European Committee of the Regions
Christian Talgorn, President, European Association of Co-operative Banks
Please block your diary now; the detailed convention programme will follow shortly.
In the meantime, you can already register by clicking HERE.
The practical details (hotels, languages, fees...) about the 5th Convention are available by clicking HERE.