A Future for Co-ops and the Social Economy in BC

Discussion and Q&A with Stefano and Vera Zamagni

Panel discussion with representatives from the BC Co-op Sector

WORKSHOP SPEAKERS

Stefano Zamagni is the world’s leading academic on cooperative economics. He is the former Dean of the Economics faculty at the University of Bologna, where he is currently a Professor of Economics. Zamagni is also a Senior Adjunct Professor of International Economics, SAIS Europe, at John Hopkins University. His many publications in Italian, English and Spanish refer to the history of economic thought, economic epistemology, the relation between ethics and economics, the economics of cooperation and the third sector, but above all civil economics, a paradigm of Italian inspiration which places the common good at the centre, overcoming the libertarian individualism of mainstream economics.

Vera Negri Zamagni is Italy’s leading economic historian, Senior Adjunct Professor of International Economics at SAIS Europe, and Professor of Economic History, University of Bologna. Former Vice President of the Emilia-Romagna regional government; co-founder (and co-editor, 1997-2001) of the European Review of Economic History; Scientific Board Member, il Mulino; former Secretary General of the Italian Economic History Society; and, Trustee of the Bologna branch of the Bank of Italy.

Bob Williams is a former Vancouver City Councillor, MLA, former board member with Vancity Credit Union and the author of Using Power Well.

PANELISTS

Sxwpilemaát Siyám, also known as Chief Leanne Joe, of the Squamish Nation, is one of sixteen Hereditary Chiefs of the Squamish Nation and the first female Chief of her Lackett Joe Family. She currently serves as a Trustee for the Squamish Nation Trust, Board member of the New Relationship Trust and the Women in Leadership Foundation and advisor to other committees.

Lisa Paull is the Director of Programs & Services from The New Relationship Trust. Her professional background is connected to education programs and services professional development. Her focus is to support Indigenous capacity building through the delivery of impactful programming and services which include true collaboration with stakeholders and partners.

Kevin Huang 黃儀軒 (he/him) is the co-founder and executive director of hua foundation, an organization with the mission of strengthening the capacity among Asian diasporic youth, in solidarity with other communities, to challenge, change, and create systems for a more equitable and just future.

Jonny Sopotiuk is an artist, labour and community organizer living and working on the unceded Indigenous territories belonging to the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations in Burnaby, BC, Canada. Jonny is a founding member and Managing Director of the Union Cooperative Initiative along with three active union cooperatives in the creative sectors in Vancouver.

MODERATOR

Elvezio (“Elvy”) Del Bianco is Director for Co-operative & Government at the British Columbia Co-operative Association, where he builds partnerships with governments, allied trade unions, post-secondary institutions and other civil society organizations to realize a strong enabling environment for the development and growth of cooperative enterprises. Elvezio has almost 20 years’ experience in the cooperative sector, as a consultant, co-op developer, and as Vancity Credit Union’s Cooperative Portfolio Manager, where he led numerous study tours exploring the cooperative economy of Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region.