The Euskadi Higher Council of Cooperatives has paid tribute to companies and institutions that have been part of this trajectory.
The Council has presented its new image of the future and commitment to Basque cooperativism.
The Higher Council of Cooperatives of Euskadi celebrated its 40th anniversary in an act which recognized the work of people who have been part, at some point in their history, of the Plenary of the Council.
In addition, the event, which was held at the Euskalduna Palace in Bilbao, served to acknowledge the involvement and commitment of the institutions that have contributed to building the most outstanding milestones in these 40 years.
The act has reviewed the history of these four decades through three moments: building, strengthening and promoting.
In the first part, the presidents of the Council were recognized by the president of the Basque Parliament, Bakartxo Tejeria. Luis Irazabal, Javier Sanz, José Felipe Yarritu, Alfredo Ispizua, Maria Ubarretxena, Javier Goienetxea and the current president Patxi Olabarria attended.
Likewise, a heartfelt tribute has also been made to the hundred councilors who have formed part of the Plenary session representing the institutions that comprise it: Konfekoop, the Basque Government, the three Provincial Councils and the three Basque Universities.
In addition, a video message has been issued from the vicelehendakari Idoia Mendia, who was unable to attend the event.
New brand
The second part has referred to the current moment of the Superior Council of Cooperatives of Euskadi. Its president Patxi Olabarria has focused his speech by valuing the cooperative business model, as a benchmark for the traditional business. “Cooperative business generates higher-quality employment, enables participation in decisions, and reduces the wage and gender gap. These values, associated with cooperatives, are increasingly demanded by young people who are and will be the ones who are going to shape the productive and business fabric of the future in Euskadi”.
Precisely, this future of Basque cooperativism has starred in the third part of the act represented by three young people, future cooperativists, and by the bertsolari Xabier Igoa.
Coinciding with this look to the future, the Council has presented its new brand: Kooperatiben Kontseilua accompanied by a renewed image to face a new horizon with a greater contribution of cooperative companies to the economic and social development of the Basque Country.
The event ended with a speech by Lehendakari Iñigo Urkullu.
See all photos on flickr: photo album.
