SAVE A PLACE - THURSDAY, JANUARY 21st 10am-4pm

Ways Forward 4: After Jeremy Corbyn’s Election Victory...the Debate

"Building an Economy to Serve People Not Profit"

Venue: Central Hall, Oldham St, Manchester M1 1JQ

Hear

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell MP

Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union, General Secretary

Frances Coppola, Financial Writer

Ed Mayo, Co-ops UK, Secretary General

Sheila Coleman, Hillsborough Justice Campaign & Unite Community

Molly Scott Cato MEP

Jo Bird, Co-op Alternatives NI, Chris Baugh, PCS Deputy General Secretary, Claire McCarthy, Co-op Party General Secretary, Britta Werner and Debbie Clark, Unicorn Grocery, Maria Young, Agile Collective, Martin Meteyard, CBC, Avis Gilmore NUT Assistant General Secretary, Allison Roche, Unison Policy Officer, John Tilley, RMT North West & Eire Organiser, Sheree Hatton, SUMA, Kevin Wan, NorthWest Housing Services, Andy Walsh, FC United, Finance Writers, Andrew Bibby and Paul Gosling, Author Christian Wolmar, Kate Whittle GO-OP Co-operative, Karen Birch, CBC, Milly Gaskin, Leading Lives and Alan Semo from Rojava, Syria

Debates, Workshops, Case Studies

Jeremy Corbyn’s comprehensive victory in the Labour leadership election confounded the British establishment, many of whom poured scorn on his anti-austerity stance even though the SNP had stormed to victory in the General Election in Scotland on an anti-austerity platform.

This conference will discuss and debate co-operative and radical alternatives to austerity and capitalism and help us shape our vision of a prosperous caring society based on a People’s Economy.

The new Labour leadership says that nationalisation of some services will be accompanied by co-operative democratic principles in a new People’s Economy. How can this be made to work? The challenge is ours and the time is now!

This conference will bring together experts and activists united in a single desire – to thrash out how a People’s Economy can be shaped to benefit everyone

Who Should Attend:

The conference has been organised by Co-operative Business Consultants (CBC) and is open to trade unionists, co-operators, activists from social enterprises and anti-austerity political parties, and all those seeking to create a prosperous caring society.

Tickets £55.00 (lunch and refreshments included)

Free places available for event volunteers under 24 years old.

All conference attendees are invited to a pre-conference informal dinner on Weds 20 January from 6.30pm at The 8th Day co-op cafe, 111 Oxford Road

For more conference information, please contact: Phil on 07901 338700 phil@cbc.coop

Ways Forward 4: Building An Economy For People Not For Profit is sponsored by: Co-operative Business Consultants (CBC), North West Housing Services, The Co-operative Party, UNISON, The Co-operative Energy, Anthony Collins Solicitors, Co-operative & Community Finance and the Institute for Solidarity Economics.

Conference Programme (NB subject to change)

• Registration 9am – 10am

• Plenary Session 10am - 11.35am: Main Hall

Is There a Democratic Co-operative Alternative?

Keynote Speakers: John McDonnell MP, Molly Scott Cato MEP Matt Wrack (FBU General Secretary), Frances Coppola (writer).

Chair: Jo Bird (Co-operative Alternatives Northern Ireland and CBC)

• Coffee & Comfort Break 11.35am-11.45am

• Workshops 11.45am - 12.45pm

Co-operatives and the Public Sector : venue -Main Hall

Speakers: Allison Roche (Unison),Milly Gaskin (Leading Lives), John Merritt, Avis Gilmore (NUT Assistant General Secretary)

Chair: Nick Money (CBC)

Workers Control, Workers Management & Workers Co-ops:

venue - Lincoln 1

Speakers: Paul Gosling (journalist), Maria Young (Agile Collective)

Chair: Cath Muller (CBC)

A Peoples’ Railway: venue - Lincoln 2

Speakers: John Tilley (RMT North West & Eire), Christian Wolmar Chair: Kate Whittle (Go-op Co-operative)

Growing Co-operative and Social Housing: venue - Aston 1

Speakers: Linda Wallace (CDS Co-op), Blasé Lambert (Confederation of Co-operative Housing), Syed Maqsood (North West Housing Services), Claire McCarthy (Co-op Party)

Chair: Kevin Wan (CBC)

• Lunch: Collier Room 12.45pm -1.35pm

• Workshops 1.35pm -2.35pm

Can Co-ops Thrive in Today’s Global Economy? venue - Main Hall

Speakers: Frances Coppola (writer), Andrew Bibby (journalist), Ed Mayo (Co-operatives UK Secretary General)

Chair: Phil Frampton (CBC)

Combatting Management Capture Syndrome: venue - Aston 1

Speakers: Britta Werner (Unicorn), Sheree Hatton (SUMA)

Chair: John Nicholson, (FC United)

Co-ops Rebuilding War Torn Rojava: venue - Lincoln 2

Speaker: Alan Semo PYD (Rojava)

Chair: John Hunt (journalist)

Energy Democracy: People’s Control Over Power and Water Supplies:

venue - Lincoln 1

Speakers: Angela Davies (Biomass Energy), Chris Baugh (PCS Deputy General Secretary), Eithne George (Sharenergy)

Chair: Martin Meteyard (CBC)

• Coffee & Comfort Break 2.35pm-2.50pm

• Plenary Session 2.50pm – 4.00pm: Main Hall

People’s Power in the Workplace

Keynote Speakers: Sheila Coleman (Hillsborough Campaign & Unite), Alan Semo (PYD), Sheree Hatton (SUMA), Debbie Clark (Unicorn), Mike Shaw (Students for Co-operation), Andrew Bibby (journalist)

Chair: Martin Meteyard (CBC)

• 4pm Close