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.

Was Robert Owen a Radical Visionary or just a very canny businessman? Owen’s 250th Legacy Celebration. What lessons can we learn for the 21st Century?

April 16, 2021 by David Smith

Greetings! Participants wishing to attend our Friday 14th May & Saturday 3rd July 2021 events please see two separate Eventbrite links. For Friday May 14th  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/co-operative-movement-founder-robert-owens-250th-anniversary-celebration-registration-150928771017    For  Saturday July 3rd https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/international-co-operators-day-owens-legacy-and-co-operative-learning-registration-151288222145  English and Welsh messages follow with  a programme for … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorised | Leave a comment

Robert Owen’s 250th Anniversary raised in the Senedd today

February 23, 2021 by David Smith

Here is Huw’s great contribution in the Senedd today and the Minister (Rebecca) response – Huw Irranca-Davies | Member of the Senedd | Wales (huwirranca-davies.wales) Many Senedd members generally seemed agreeable to his remarks. No reference is made to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorised | Leave a comment

This is the most important clip you’ll ever see!

February 21, 2021 by David Smith

We have never seen a stronger case advanced for the role and values of the global Co-operative Movement https://twitter.com/trocaire/status/1363451681753755648  full version on https://vimeo.com/513437415    Here is Dr. Mike Ryan speaking at a @trocaire event speaking about the catastrophe we’re walking into. We … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorised | Leave a comment

Everything you need to know about Fairtrade

February 15, 2021 by David Smith

“For two weeks each year at the end of February and start of March, thousands of individuals, companies and groups across the UK come together to share the stories of the people who grow our food and drinks. mine our … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorised | Leave a comment

Celebrate Robert Owen’s 250th Anniversary

February 9, 2021 by David Smith

Robert Owen (1771-1858) was a great man of history who pioneered modern socialism, the trade union and co-operative movements. He has never been given the recognition he deserved and many of his ideas from enlightening the “dark satanic mills” around … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorised | Leave a comment

Co-operation and a 21st-Century Food Strategy for Wales

December 31, 2020 by David Smith

At a time of declining wages of cotton and woollen workers failing to improve wages and conditions, the Co-operative Movement grew out of the efforts of early Owenite socialists and chartists and the need for pure, unadulterated goods, keen pricing … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorised | Leave a comment

Building a Co-operative Institution in Wales – Banc Cambria

September 3, 2020 by David Smith

Co-ops and Mutuals Wales & Addysg Oedolion Cymru |Adult Learning Wales presents: Building a Co-operative Institution in Wales – Banc CambriaWednesday 23 September 7-8.10 pm Wales needs to develop institutions that work for the collective good of its citizens. Mark … Continue reading →

Posted in Events | Leave a comment

Equality

March 6, 2019 by David Smith

International Women’s Day – 8 March 2019 – This year is themed around gender-balance Balance drives a better working world. Let’s all help create a #BalanceforBetter https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Theme

Posted in Uncategorised | Leave a comment

We need a tax funded National Care Service

March 5, 2019 by David Smith

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-47440774 With older people 80+ predicted to increase by 44% in Wales by 2030 we need active space with tax funded National Care Service for self help enterprises -member owned and controlled @CartrefiCymru @Glennwalescoop @KarenLWilkie @derekwalker_ @wgmin_deputy @wgmin_health @fmwales @JulieMorganLAB When … Continue reading →

Posted in News | Leave a comment

Adult Education 100 – Making its Mark February 2019

March 5, 2019 by David Smith

The aim of this newsletter is to give you an update of recent events and also describe how you can contribute your expertise and ideas to both the campaign and the Centenary Commission. Disappointingly (though perhaps unsurprisingly in these troubled … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorised | Leave a comment

An Invitation to Think Cooperatively, Learn Collectively

June 27, 2018 by David Smith

Saturday, September 8th 2018 9.30am for 10.00am – 4.00pm The Tabernacle Chapel, The Hayes, Cardiff CF10 1AJ Bringing together co-operative and community activists for shared learning

Posted in Uncategorised | Leave a comment

Archive report on the first C&MW event

December 13, 2017 by David Smith

dsCooperative Education draft report v1

Posted in Events | Leave a comment

Transition to a Co-operative economy

November 20, 2016 by David Smith

                          Full details at Synergia Course

Posted in Events | Leave a comment

How do we create co-operators? What is the meaning and relevance of Co-operative Education?

October 18, 2016 by David Smith

Co-operatives and Mutuals Wales cordially invite you to take part in a Co-operative Education roundtable discussion on Saturday 19th November 2016 (10:30 – 3:30) at Cartrefi Cymru, Cardiff The programme comprises a mix of keynote interventions from 4 speakers, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorised | Leave a comment