Attending the Global Innovation Coop Summit
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Published 3 Oct 2022 in Colleagues
Last week our young co-operators joined our Group CEO, Phil Ponsonby at the Global Innovation Summit in Paris. Read our update today on how the trip went and how Midcounties are making a difference on an international scale.
We start off with a massive well done to our competition winners, Benjamin Johnson, Conor O’Neil* and Shannon Williams for winning a place at the summit when they took part in the Global Innovation Coop Summit competition.
*Conor stepped in as Emily Sandilands was unable to attend
Joining our Group CEO, Phil in Paris, the trio spent their time learning about new trends in the fields of social, technological, and managerial innovation! (as well as exploring the great city of Paris and its incredible surroundings)
Have a watch of their highlights below...
The event helped create a dedicated space for cooperative leaders from all sectors to share, exchange, learn and build together a more inclusive plural economy.
A separate well done to Conor for sitting on the panel on the topic of 'Generational Transition: Attracting and giving their full place to millennials' and delivering his answers both genuinely and passionately!
Conor O’Neil, our Community Funding colleague shared the following about the summit:
“Going to the summit gave me a chance that I’ve never had before to learn and develop professionally whilst also having great fun in a foreign country! From listening about new innovative farming techniques in India, to how new websites amongst Scottish cooperatives help deliver value to members, the whole experience made me understand and resonate with the cooperative principles like never before. I want to thank everyone who made this event take place and I speaking on a panel was a confidence builder like no other.”
Shannon’s experience:
“Overall, I think this was an amazing opportunity and I appreciate everyone that took the time out to put this competition together. I think more opportunities like this should happen and I highly recommend taking part in them if you have the chance. It was insightful to learn more about cooperatives on a global scale and I feel I’ve been able to learn a lot from this experience, which in turn I will apply to my current role. I look forward to seeing how we all grow into a more inclusive and resilient cooperative world together.
Lastly, my final takeaway from this experience that I would like to add is I now strongly believe I am a wine connoisseur, and I will be ordering Châteauneuf-du-Pape on a regular basis!”
For more young people opportunities why not join the Young Co-operators Network? If you'd like to find out more about the YCN, please email YCN@midcounties.coop.