The 39^th Annual ICOS Conference examines environmental, social and economic factors

underpinning the future success of co-operative farming.

 

Commissioner Hogan and top Irish and International speakers on the agenda

The enhancement of co-operative enterprises to promote Better Farming, Better Business and Better Living, on a long term and sustainable basis, will be addressed at the 39^th ICOS Conference in the Convention Centre Dublin on Tuesday, 3^rd November 2015.

The Food Wise 2025 strategy sets out a vision for growth for the Irish agricultural economy over the coming decade. Co-operatives have a major role to play in that strategy, supporting the endeavours of primary producers and contributing to economic, environmental and social progress throughout Ireland.

The Conference will examine the challenges and opportunities facing co-operative producers in an increasingly globalised marketplace.  It will be opened by EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan and addressed by speakers including economist Professor John Fitzgerald, David Christensen, UK Dairy farmer and member of the Board of Governors of Arla Co-op and Dr. Sean Brady, Chairman of the Golden Jubilee Trust and former Chairman of Food Harvest 2020.

The conference will be chaired by Damien O’Reilly of RTÉ. The following themes will be addressed:

• Environmental sustainability – Better Farming:  How can our agricultural co-operatives work with their members to ensure the sustainable intensification of Irish Agriculture and to preserve the sector for generations to come?

• Economic Sustainability – Better Business:  How can co-operatives increase member understanding, engagement and loyalty in the business of the co-operative and how can newly established co-ops learn from the lessons of well-established co-operatives in developing a loyal membership?

• Social Sustainability- Better Living: Co-operatives as community based enterprises are not consistently engaging successfully with their members. Women and young people are not equally represented in co-operative structures – how should the co-operatives change their culture & customs to be more representative organisations?

For the full speaker list and conference programme go to; http://www.icos.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/ICOS-National-Conference-Programme.pdf

As well as being of direct relevance and interest to co-operative directors, management and members,  ICOS is inviting other senior agri-sector interests to attend this strategic National Conference with registration details available from ICOS directly at 01 6131347 , ciara.pelly@icos.ie  and on the ICOS website http://www.icos.ie/2015/10/07/39th-icos-national-conference/

 

By TJ Flanagan

Dairy Policy Executive