News from the Co-operative College http://www.co-op.ac.uk/newsitems09/newsletterNov09.htm It feels a strange time to be a co-operator at present. http://www.co-op.ac.uk/newsitems09/news2009_052.htm It is barely 18 months since the first co-operative trust at Reddish Vale in Stockport was launched. Today, 26 schools are members of 15 co-operative trusts, and over 120 more schools are at various stages on that journey, well on the way towards the target that the Secretary of State recently set of 200 schools in co-operative trusts by September 2010. http://www.co-op.ac.uk/newsitems09/news2009_053.htm The Fair and Square project, now in its final year, has launched a new activity kit for members about local, seasonal food. http://www.co-op.ac.uk/newsitems09/news2009_054.htm Schools around the UK celebrated the very first Robert Owen Day on 19 November 2009, coinciding with Social Enterprise Day. http://www.co-op.ac.uk/newsitems09/news2009_055.htm Following success of Co-operate for Change! Fairtrade in Your School launched during Fairtrade Fortnight earlier this year, a secondary school edition is now in production. http://www.co-op.ac.uk/newsitems09/news2009_056.htm Just over one month ago, Isabelle Farquhar joined the Co-operative College as the new Business Development Manager for Curriculum and Learning. It feels right after 5 weeks to get her initial impression of both the College and the Co-operative Movement. http://www.co-op.ac.uk/newsitems09/news2009_057.htm Thinking about Christmas presents yet? The Co-operative College, along with three schools – Sir Thomas Boughey Co-operative Business and Enterprise College (Stoke-on-Trent), St Benet Biscop RC High School (Northumberland) and City School (Sheffield) have produced a beautiful calendar featuring photographs of the people and landscapes of the mountain kingdom of Lesotho. http://www.co-op.ac.uk/newsitems09/news2009_058.htm The Co-operatives Addressing the Climate Threat campaign website of Co-operatives Europe now includes an online petition. http://www.co-op.ac.uk/newsitems09/news2009_059.htm Over the last 12 months Learning Matters and other parts of the Co-operative Press have featured the Co-operative College’s work to develop a new co-operative model for trust schools, and the success in rolling it out. http://www.co-op.ac.uk/newsitems09/news2009_060.htm Mr Yogendrasing Sreepaul, Chief Executive of the Mauritius Consumers’ Co-operative Federation was a recent visitor to the Co-operative College. http://www.co-op.ac.uk/newsitems09/news2009_061.htm The College is finalising arrangements for the delivery of this new programme in partnership with the National Rural Electricity Co-operative Association (NRECA) of the USA. http://www.co-op.ac.uk/newsitems09/news2009_062.htm A productive and enjoyable week long workshop was held as part of the CoopAfrica programme during August in Gabarone, the capital of Botswana. http://www.co-op.ac.uk/newsitems09/news2009_063.htm Two new publications from the Co-operatives for Development programme are already proving very popular. http://www.co-op.ac.uk/newsitems09/news2009_064.htm The revised designs for the development of the Rochdale Pioneers Museum discussed in the last edition of Learning Matters have now been granted planning permission. http://www.co-op.ac.uk/newsitems09/news2009_065.htm Chris Cooper has recently returned from leading an innovative seminar for the Department of Co-operatives in Fiji. During a week in the capital Suva on Viti Levu he worked with members, directors and managers from savings and loan, cane, retail, village, cocoa, and sports co-operatives and the staff at the Department of Co-operatives. http://www.co-op.ac.uk/newsitems09/news2009_066.htm