Finnish Co-operative Movement 110 Years: Celebratory Conference Helsinki School of Economics, September 24-25, 2009 Comments on Co-operative man as socio- political actor - The local and global impact of co-operatives Dr.Sc. (Econ.) Eliisa Troberg University of Helsinki, Finland

Co-operatives as social enterprises Sirkka-Liisa Kivelä, Professor at University of Turku and Esko Kumpusalo, Professor at University of Kuopio have recently proposed that co- operatives would constitute the approriate enterprise form in the social and welfare sector. WHY? Because in co-operatives.... Profits are used to develop services and activities of the firm. Profits are not maximized for the purpose of outside owners. The co-operative values and principles as well as the democratic ownership structure appropriately support the aims of social enterprises.

Co-operatives as social enterprises continued Long term thinking, which is dominating in co-operatives, suits social enterprises well. Collaboration between different interest groups and the community spirit is inherent in this enterprise form. Human values and human beings are in the center of activities. Well-being at work is well taken care of in co-operatives (according to a recent study of Finnish co-operatives). The co-operative form of working brings extra flexibility to its members. This kind of flexibility increases the members’ motivation and creativity.

School Co-operatives - A Tool of Social Entrepreneurship education School co-operatives could be established for the purpose of providing education in social entrepreneurship. School co-operatives could, e.g. operate in the sectors of elderly care, cleaning and environment, sports and culture. In Finnish universities of applied science, co-operatives are largely used as a tool for entrepreneurship education. Other schools could use best-practices and experiences of the universities of applied science for the purpose of educating younger children in social entrepreneurship.

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