Co-op Conversations

The Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives' (CCSC) Co-op Conversations is a monthly online gathering for co-operative sector professionals to learn from others in the field and exchange information in a casual setting. The CCSC believes that the best learning is peer-to-peer, and casual conversations across different organizations are what break old thinking patterns, make new connections, and generate fresh perspectives. Each Co-op Conversation will be held during lunch hours (Saskatchewan time) on the first Wednesday of the month.

Building journalism back better: Can news co-operatives counter journalism and democracy's deepening crisis? featuring Dr. Mitch Diamantopoulos

Co-op Conversation featuring Mitch Diamantopoulos event poster

Misinformation. Newsroom layoffs and closures. News deserts. Democratic dysfunction. What can co-operators do to stem the decline of quality journalism against the rising tide of lies, hate, and confusion? How can we rebuild trust, reverse news avoidance, revitalize citizen engagement, and boost voter turn-out? What can be done to combat the pollution of our informational environment and secure journalism's democratic reconstruction?

In this Co-op Conversation, Dr. Mitch Diamantopoulos provides a cross-case comparison of five long-standing and influential national-level daily newspapers, all published by co-operatives, to illuminate this democratically strategic sector and offer some potential answers to these questions.

Biography

Dr. Mitch Diamantopoulos is an associate professor in the School of Journalism at the University of Regina and has been a Research Fellow at the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives since 2012. Mitch’s body of published work spans journalism, community-based research and interdisciplinary scholarship. He also founded two worker co-operative newspapers (Planet S Magazine in Saskatoon and Prairie Dog Magazine in Regina).

Event Details

Date: October 2, 2024
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM (Saskatchewan Time or Central Standard Time)
Where: on Zoom
File: Download Event Poster

Past talks can be found here: Past Co-op Conversations.

MacPherson Talk

The MacPherson Talks honour the late Dr. Ian MacPherson, one of the leading lights of the international cooperative movement. Historian, educator, author, and passionate co-operator, Ian personified the relationship between Canadian co-operative academics and co-op practitioners. The MacPherson Talks are held annually by the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives.

The 9th Annual MacPherson Talk featuring Morris Altman

Democratic Organizations as the Engine of Equitable Economic Growth featuring Dr. Morris Altman

Conventional theory argues that organizations that embed democratic decision-making – such as co-operatives – are inefficient relative to other corporate forms because of associated governance costs such as slow and cumbersome decision-making. In this year’s MacPherson Talk, Dr. Morris Altman challenges this conventional view by arguing that democratic governance actually increase productivity through improved working conditions and wellbeing. Dr. Morris Altman will present recent research to support his argument and provide examples of the importance of embedding democratic principles within an organization.   

About our Speaker

Morris Altman is the Dean of the University of Dundee School of Business and Chair Professor of Behavioral and Institutional Economics and Co-operatives at the University of Dundee. He is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Saskatchewan and a research fellow at the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives. 

Past talks can be found here: Annual MacPherson Talk

Fredeen Lecture

The Fredeen Lecture is hosted annually and features the research of the most recent recipient of the Hartley and Margaret Fredeen Scholarship in Co-operative Studies. This scholarship is offered annually to a student who is conducting research on co-operatives, either entering or continuing studies in a master's or doctoral program at the University of Saskatchewan.

The 2023 Fredeen Lecture (featuring Sarah Firby)

Community-Centered Funerary Care: The Growing Presence and Impact of Funeral Co-operatives in Canada featuring Sarah Firby

Over the last 50 years, the co-operative movement has gained traction in the Eastern Canadian funeral industry, providing vital services to communities under a governance structure focused on transparency and local ownership to a vulnerable customer base. The discussion will focus on how the co-operative model is presented in the “death care” sector and the benefits experienced through this business approach. In so doing, it will explore the remarkable growth and impact of funeral co-operatives in Quebec and Ontario, where the co-operative movement has the largest presence in the industry. The presentation will conclude with a discussion on the role provincial policy and culture can play in the adoption of the co-operative model in unique industries.  

Presented by Sarah Firby, Recipient of the 2022 Hartley and Margaret Fredeen Scholarship in Co-operative Studies

Sarah Firby is a recent graduate of the Graduate Certificate in Social Economy, Co-operatives and Non-profit Sector (GSECN) program and Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the Johnson Shoyama School of Public Policy. Firby has worked, volunteered, and been a member of the Saskatchewan co-operative sector for 10 years with a passion for the unique benefits the model provides to communities.

Past lectures can be found here: Past Fredeen Lecture.

Special Talks

The Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives hosts additional periodical public lectures featuring topical research and visiting scholars. Below you can find our most recent special talk and an archive of special talks we have hosted in the past.

Intervention Earth – Public Lecture and Book Signing with Gwynne Dyer

The global climate emergency is now an alarming fact of life. As scientists, politicians and concerned citizens scramble for solutions to the catastrophic effects of a warming world, many are thinking that it's all too little, too late. In Intervention Earth, renowned historian, journalist, and author Gwynne Dyer interviews the world’s top 100 climate scientists to discuss the extraordinary measures we must contemplate to counter the irreversible effects of climate change. In this public talk, Gwynne will share what he learned through those conversations and propose some options – big and small – that might just keep us ahead of encroaching disaster and carry us to a safe harbour.

This free in person lecture will be followed by a book signing. Copies of Intervention Earth will be available for purchase at the event.

About our speaker

Gwynne Dyer is an historian and independent journalist. He has published several books and has had his articles widely syndicated for many years. Dyer’s recent books include Climate Wars (2009), Crawling from the Wreckage (2010), and War (2004).  

Event Details

Date: October 1, 2024
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 PM (Saskatchewan Time or Central Standard Time)
Where: Henry Taube Lecture Theatre, Thorvaldson 271 ("Airplane Room"), 110 Science Place, University of Saskatchewan
File: Download Event Poster

Advance registration is required, as seating is limited. The lecture is free to attend and open to all. 

Climate Change and How We Can Change Our Future: An Ask Me Anything Session with Gwynne Dyer

In his latest book, Intervention Earth, renowned historian, journalist, and author Gwynne Dyer interviewed the world’s top 100 climate scientists to discuss the extraordinary measures we must contemplate to counter the irreversible effects of climate change. Join him for this Ask Me Anything session, where he will answer the questions you have always wanted to ask about the climate change crisis.

About our speaker

Gwynne Dyer is an historian and independent journalist. He has published several books and has had his articles widely syndicated for many years. Dyer’s recent books include Climate Wars (2009), Crawling from the Wreckage (2010), and War (2004).  

Event Details

Date: October 1, 2024
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 PM (Saskatchewan Time or Central Standard Time)
Where: Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) Commons, 1337 College Drive, University of Saskatchewan
File: Download Event Poster

Past talks can be found here: Past Special Talks.

Co-operatives in a Time of Crisis

In 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian Centre for the Study Co-operatives launched the "Co-operatives in Times of Crisis Conversation Series", which asked leaders in co-operatives, big and small, how they were making use of their co-operative structure to address the challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis.

Jen Budney, Professional Research Associate, the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives and former Chair, the Spadina Early Learning and Childcare Co-operative

 

Past talks can be found here: Full Series Conversation.