Author Archives: David Smith

About David Smith

A lifelong co-operative activist. Recent experience includes Co-operative Foundation Trustee (2014-2016); Co-operative Group Main Board, Specialist Board & National Values & Principles Committee (2014); Co-operative Group Senate (2014-2015); Co-operative Group Wales Regional Board (2009-2014), South Wales Area Committee (from 1990-2014). Public service includes Government Food Adviser (2000-2006); UK Healthcare Regulator (2003-2008) David directed the first EC funded Wales Anti-Poverty Programme; including pioneering a wide range of co-operative & community driven initiatives: free legal services, community-based housing associations, care and repair, pre-school and adventure play, local Co-op Development Agencies, multipurpose Social Care Co-operatives. Founded: Cardiff Student Community Action, Welsh Food Alliance & Wales Progressive Co-operators. Currently, Deacon, Canton Uniting Church, Cardiff; Board Member, Newport Credit Union; Robert Owen Memorial Museum Trustee. Former Lecturer, Gwent Tertiary College, (1983-1998). Graduate Ruskin College, Oxford and UC Cardiff and has a MA (European Human Resource Management) Keele; Post Graduate Certificate Education (Further Education) Cardiff; Professional Food & Management qualifications.

Funding Our Future – Robert Owen Day 2023 contribution by Richard M Murphy

Funding Our Future The left must create a sustainable economy by putting all the resources available within society to best use, including those that the market fails to use to best effect. Robert Owen Day – and the need for … Continue reading

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How big things get done! Robert Owen Day / Sut y cyflawnir pethau mawr! Diwrnod Robert Owen

How big things get done! Robert Owen Day  Saturday 13th May 2023 10 am -12.30 pm online Session One  10.00 – 11.10 am Key Note contribution, Mark Drakeford MS, First Minister, Welsh Government ‘A new economic narrative for the left’ with … Continue reading

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Pioneer Robert Owen’s Impact: Co-operation & Education – Saturday 12th November 2022 – Zoom

We now have a new date. Thanks for your patience. Why does Owen still offer so much for 21st century co-operators? Register free here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/robert-owens-impact-learning-lessons-for-co-operation-and-education-tickets-398856910757  Saturday 12th November 2022 – Zoom 9.55 – 11.00 am: Robert Owen’s Impact: Co-operation & Education – … Continue reading

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Robert Owen’s Coop Legacy: Community Wealth Building – slides used by Neil McInroy on 14 May 2022

Robert Owen – Neil McInroy

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Explore the roots of Community Wealth Building / Foundational Economy a quarter of a millennium after his birth. Free online event ‘Robert Owen’s Impact: Learning lessons for co-operation and education’

Explore the roots of Community Wealth Building / Foundational Economy a quarter of a millennium after his birth. Free online event ‘Robert Owen’s Impact: Learning lessons for co-operation and education’ with Prof. Chris Williams, University College Cork, Cork. Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pioneer-robert-owens-impact-learning-lessons-for-co-operation-education-tickets-318910819847  A … Continue reading

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Pioneer Robert Owen’s Impact: Learning Lessons for Co-operation & Education

FREE ONLINE EVENT: Saturday, July 2nd, 2022 Download the event programme (English, pdf) | Lawrlwythwch rhaglen y digwyddiad (Cymraeg, pdf) Register for your FREE ticket on Eventbrite. Lecture: ‘Robert Owen & co-operation’ by Prof Chris Williams with audience’s contributions to … Continue reading

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Those who opt to make history and change the course of events

“Those who opt to make history and change the course of events themselves have an advantage over those who decide to wait passively for the results of the change.” – Father José María Arizmendiarrieta

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Building on Robert Owen’s Co-operative Legacy

FREE ONLINE EVENT: Saturday 14th May 2022: 9.55-12.05 Download the Programme (English, pdf) | Lawrlwythwch y Rhaglen (Cymraeg, pdf) To reserve your FREE ticket to this Zoom Online event, please register here

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A CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION SYSTEM FOR A CO-OPERATIVE WALES? A Community of Enquiry Report April 8, 2017

A CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION SYSTEM FOR A CO-OPERATIVE WALES? Summary The Welsh word ‘dysgu’ means both teaching and learning. This underlines the fact that learning should not be something handed down from teacher to pupil. It should be a collaborative effort … Continue reading

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Best wishes / New Year Greetings from Co-ops & Mutuals Wales with our favourite quote from Joe Reeves

Joseph (Joe) Reeves was born on 28 January 1888 in Camberwell, London. His childhood was impoverished and he left school at 13. He was a conscientious objector during World War I.  Joe was Education Secretary of the Royal Arsenal Co-operative … Continue reading

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Civic society ambition for a Community Bank in Wales supported by Monmouthshire BS & Welsh Government

https://gov.wales/economy-minister-sets-out-plans-banc-cambria-wales-new-community-bank Welsh Government statement issued today. Excellent cross-party support for Monmouthshire Building Society backing a civic society mutual intiative for a community bank – long in the making in Wales. Many more miles to travel. Mutuals are member controlled. If … Continue reading

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Coop identity, culture & heritage session International Co-operative Alliance, Seoul, World Co-op Congress, 1 December 2021

As part of Congress’s first key theme, Examining Our Co-operative Identity, delegates gathered on the afternoon of 1 December in Seoul and online to discuss cooperative and cultural heritage. In 2016, UNESCO formally recognised cooperatives as an Intangible Cultural Heritage … Continue reading

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Robert Owen – One of Wales’s greatest political icons

https://www.thenational.wales/news/19737010.robert-owen—one-waless-greatest-political-icons/ 

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Why do we know so little about a man whose work is revered across the world?

Francis Jones explores the life and work of Welsh businessman and social reformer Robert Owen: why do we know so little about a man whose work is revered across the world? https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000z4vj The radio programme is on this evening, 31st … Continue reading

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Co-operative Education – the crucial role of embedding the spirit of co-operation in all that we do

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Anu Puusa ~ The Case for Co-ops, the Invisible Giant of the Economy

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‘Ways to Mark Robert Owen’s Anniversary’ Q&A | Chair: Jeremy Miles, MS Labour – Co-op, Neath

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Co-op Learning & Methods in Schools| Dr Sara Vicari |Chair: Jeremy Miles, MS Labour – Co-op, Neath

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Robert Owen & History of Co-op Movement in Wales| Siân Williams|Chair: Jeremy Miles, MS Labour-Co-op

 

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Robert Owen & History of Co-op Movement in Wales|Dr Liz McIvor|Chris Hall, C&MW introduces the Chair Jeremy Miles MS

 

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