Cooperatives around the world
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Echoes of the Past, Sips of the Present ( Kathy – Jaipur – December 2024)
French version below Indian Coffee House in Jaipur Imagine this: instead of spending a week in Goa, I’m here in Jaipur, continuing my journey through the legendary Indian Coffee Houses. After walking through Jaipur’s dusty streets, I arrive at an ICH that leaves me speechless. I’ve never seen one so lifeless. https://g.co/kgs/Cysqfhf Just four customers. Can you believe it? The place looks rundown. Even the staff seem drained. The laminated menu is uninspiring, and the vibe is equally dull. But, as they say, don’t judge a book by its cover. I order a cold coffee with cream—it’s delicious—and start talking to the people around. Soon, the familiar joy of documenting…
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Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All – #IYC2025 – 4th Part ( Kathy -New Delhi – November 2024)
Attending the Global Conference on Cooperatives was an inspiring and thought-provoking experience. This summary focuses on my observations and reflections from Day 2 and Day 3, which were largely institutional in nature, showcasing the critical role of cooperatives in building a more inclusive and sustainable world. Inclusivity was a central theme, with a powerful intervention by Anne-Laure Degris, Co-CEO of SmartCoop, emphasizing the need for better representation of women within cooperative leadership. Her call to action highlighted a critical gap in gender equity that must be addressed to align cooperatives with their foundational values of solidarity and equality. I feel incredibly proud to be a member of SmartCoop, especially after Anne-Laure’s inspiring intervention, which underscored…
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Land of the Thunder Dragon – 3rd Part of Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All ( Kathy – New Delhi – November 24)
French version below You know, even at a congress like this one in New Delhi, there are encounters that leave a mark, that touch you deeply. There are smiles that stay with you, and countries that intrigue you. It all started during the official launch of the International Year of Cooperatives. The atmosphere was tense, security tight, every detail meticulously orchestrated. And then, suddenly, a man appeared on stage—slim, with a calm and dignified aura. He was wearing an outfit that resembled Tibetan attire, reaching just above the knees, somewhat like a Scottish kilt, with long black socks covering his calves. His smile and calm demeanor immediately captivated me. This…
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Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All – #IYC2025 – 2nd Part ( Kathy -New Delhi – November 2024)
French version below Sunday, 24th Arrival in Delhi. A taxi arranged by the organization is waiting for me. What a warm welcome. And then, very quickly, the chaos begins—chaos with an Indian flavor.A mix of kindness, indifference, and extreme attentiveness. Organizing an event of such magnitude, with over 3,000 participants from 100 countries, is no small feat. There’s the accommodation spread across a dozen hotels, meals, badges to print and distribute, communications, congress scheduling, volunteers from IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative: https://www.iffco.in/en/corporate) assisting us, transfers, film screenings, security arrangements, and so much more. Monday, 25th And we’re off! The event is front-page news in every Indian newspaper. It’s also covered extensively…
