Assembly 2025 - International Year of Co-operatives

Join Australian co-operatives in celebrating the UN's International Year of Co-operatives (IYC2025), themed “Co-operatives Build a Better World.” This event showcases how co-ops advance sustainable development and tackle global challenges. This event will bring together co-operatives from across Australia and welcome the public to attend and celebrate the power of co-ops to solve global problems through a fairer and more equitable business model.

Thursday - The Art Gallery of NSW (Meers Hall) 9.00 am - 4 pm

Featuring key themes and topics showcasing co-ops' impact:

• Opening Panel: Building a Better Australia Through Co-ops
• The State of Australian Co-operatives
• The Great Debate: Co-operatives Can Build a Better Australia Today
• Co-operative Housing: Solving Australia’s Housing Crisis
• Marketing the Co-op Advantage

• Keynote Speakers & Panels: Featuring co-op leaders, experts and politicians, including so far: Federal Assistant Minister Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Cathy Main (CEO) Barossa Co-op (South Australia), Liz Thomas (Chair) Australian Housing Co-operative Alliance. Christian Johansson (Chief Marketing Officer) Beyond Bank, Drew Freeman (CEO) Tasmanian Independent Retailers. Greg Patmore (Emeritus Professor) University of Sydney, Author Jess Skully and many more Click Here to See the Speakers 

Click Here to See our Draft Day 1 Program

Networking drinks on Thursday at 6pm will take place at the Day Two venue in Surry Hills. Enjoy co-operatively brewed beverages, a co-operative musical performance, and the chance to connect with conference attendees while previewing the space for the next day's sessions!


Friday - The Teachers Federation Conference Centre (Surry Hills) 9 am - 4 pm 

Day 2 is a member-led, interactive 'un-conference' designed for practical, in-depth exploration of topics relevant to co-ops in the International Year. The day features workshops and discussions on sustainable food systems, co-op housing, agricultural supplies, Indigenous enterprise, regenerative co-ops, food co-ops, arts co-ops, worker co-ops, housing co-ops, youth engagement, collaborative leadership, and capital raising. It concludes with a plenary session reflecting on outcomes and the role of youth in shaping the co-operative movement.

Tickets & Subsidies

• Youth Delegates: We are calling on youth delegates to attend the Assembly in return for free registration on both days. People under 30 are encouraged to apply here. 
• Support Youth: Co-ops can also invest in the next generation of co-op leaders by sponsoring other young co-operators to attend. Please get in touch with Peter Tregilgas if your co-op wishes to sponsor a youth.
• Discounts: Member price is available for The Co-op Federationn members and their members
• Subsidised Tickets: Apply by email for financial assistance to attend
  

📧 Contact: Peter Tregilgas at peter@fed.coop | 📞 0400 191 054

The Co-op Federation is bringing co-operators together to celebrate co-ops and build a better world!

Friday (Day 2) will be held at the NSW Teachers Federation Conference Centre. Address: 37 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills.