International Working Group

What is the International Working Group?

The Working Group supports the planning, co-ordination and delivery of the UK Co-operative Movement's international activity.

Areas of activity:

• To share information and intelligence to ensure Co-operatives UK and the wider UK Co-operative Movement are represented effectively internationally. This involves co-ordinating discussions and consultations with other representative bodies in the UK operating internationally

• Ensure that, in liaison with the Board, the Co-operatives UK strategy considers an international agenda. To confirm international representation at events and meetings, advising on resolutions and the use of its votes

• Support and co-ordinate requests for global co-operative development programmes and relief funds, such as the £100,000 raised to support India through the Covid crisis 

• Co-ordinate and agree the collection of funds to contribute towards international commitments such as the activities of the International Co-operative Alliance and International Organisation of Industrial and Service Cooperatives

Who are the International Working Group members?

The working group meets six times a year and brings together individuals from the co-operative movement who play a role in international representation. Current members are:

• Chair: Dr Sarah Alldred, Co-operative College

• Ben Reid, International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) Board member

• Bernadette Turner, PA to Ben Reid

• Blase Lambert, Confederation of Co-operative Housing

• Debbie Robinson, Central England

• John Atherton, Co-operatives UK

• Jenny de Villiers, Coperatives UK Director

• Pete Westall, Midcounties Co-operative, ICETT representative

• Sion Whellens, CECOP/CICOPA Board member

• Shaun Tarbuck, ICMIF