Jo Bibby-Scullion chaired a session titled "Young Entrepreneurs Engaging in Co-operatives", at the recent Regional Assembly in Warsaw.

The session examined what co-operatives can provide for youth; how the co-operative enterprise model can attract the new generation; and, how to inject the voice of youth into co-operative business, essential for the future of co-operatives in view of the aging membership.

Some youth initiatives discussed during the session were: the ILO - Youth as Partners for Today; employability; education and training; equality of opportunities - creation of new businesses and jobs; development of the 'spirit of youth' in all micro-economic policies; establishing a database of youth organisations; and, the ILO Co-operative Employment Initiative.

After the session, Suzanne Henderson asked Jo how she became involved in the ICA.

"I was involved in Woodcraft Folk, in the UK (similar to the scouting movement with a co-operative theme) from the age of six. There is no gender bias and the organisation campaigns on human rights and environmental issues.

I grew up with co-operative values and principles and strong family values. My parents were involved in co-operative development agencies in the UK and we lived in housing co-operatives. Another influence was peer attitudes. Many agree about co-operative values, in principle, but have not had first hand experience. I believe the most visible co-operative is the consumer co-op because it understands diversity and how to communicate the message."

What do you think is the most effective way to inform other young people about co-operatives?

"There needs to be a real opening up of communications between all parts of the world. There really isn't much sharing, co-operative to co-operative. Communications should be a two-way channel and the ICA is the logical place to start.

Young people need to be empowered to take responsibility for changing attitudes and for bridging the communications gap between older and younger people. "

What do think is behind the lack of a strong youth presence in the co-operative movement?

"Lack of education". Young people don't know about it. Universities in general don't offer units in co-operative business management and co-operatives are not on the syllabus.

From my research, in most economics degrees, there is one lecture on alternative systems and it's considered not to work - so it's back to free market systems again. Young people are concentrating on conservative business studies geared to the corporate sector because they see it as the future - that it's moving ahead.

It's all to do with traditional approaches and the co-operatives themselves have a traditional approach - they are resistant to change. Co-ops need to offer work experience to young people. In the UK Co-ops are not taking up new apprenticeship schemes, which is a lost opportunity to train future co-operative leaders."