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BCICS:
Helping Shape Co-operative Studies
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"This
is like a dream for me," reflects Dr. Ian MacPherson when he talks
about the British Columbia Institute for Co-operative Studies (BCICS).
MacPherson, the Institute's director, has studied and been involved
in co-ops for nearly thirty-five years. He is internationally renowned
for his extensive knowledge of historical and current co-operative
movements, and recognised for his commitment to the promotion of
co-operation.
MacPherson initiated the BCICS to ensure ongoing research of co-operatives
by passing this work on to a new generation. "We need young people
full of spit and vinegar rather than ageing Scots-Canadian men to
do this work." A majority of researchers at BCICS are students or
recent graduates at the University of Victoria, where the Institute
is based. They are taking up this challenge and producing work on
co-operatives that will help develop the field of Co-operative Studies.
Kathleen Gabelmann, BCICS research co-ordinator, also has a life
of experience in the co-operative sector and considerable knowledge
of communities throughout BC. She brings these valuable assets,
as well as strong leadership skills and a passion for co-ops to
the Institute.
BCICS is a catalyst for research, learning, and teaching about co-operative
practice and thought. The Institute collaborates with other post-secondary
institutions, the co-op sector, governments, and people and communities
interested in co-operative development.
The aim of the Institute's research is to understand how the co-operative
model functions within different contexts and how it can contribute
to meeting economic and social needs. Most importantly, BCICS aims
to find out how the co-operative model can help to empower people
and communities in controlling the forces that shape their lives.
In this era of globalisation, local control over economic development
is at risk of becoming further undermined. In turn, economic and
social choices are even less responsive to community needs. At BCICS
the co-op model is believed to be a practical option for economic,
social, and political organisation. The co-operative principles
of democratic membership control, co-operation between co-operatives,
and a concern for community, offer a community- driven approach
to economic growth that has been, and can be ever more, beneficial
to the people of British Columbia.
As part of the BCICS commitment to bring together people and ideas
about co-operativism, the Institute shares its research activities
and their results with the public through the Internet local media,
this newsletter, written reports, and public events. |
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Spring 2001: V1 - I1
Summer 2001: V1 - I2
Fall 2001: V1 - I3
Fall 2002: V2 - I1
Spring 2003: V3 - I1
Fall 2004: V4 - I1
Spring 2005: V5 - I1
Fall 2005: V5 - I2
Spring 2006: V6 - I1
Fall 2006: V6 - I2
Fall 2007: V7 - I1
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