Theme 9: Digital and platform co-operatives
Multinationals have dominated the platform economy. Seven companies belong to the world’s ten wealthiest enterprises, but none are based in Europe. As the social media battle between Rupert Murdock and Facebook in Australia has shown, problems arise out of the clash between market forces and monopoly interests, disrupting small and medium-sized enterprises. How can new co-operative business models offer alternatives and/or promote co-operatives that renegotiate user rights on privately owned platforms?
Facilitator – Rocio Nogales
Panel Speakers – Ana Aguirre, Ali Ercan Ozgur
Technical Support: Rory Ridley-Duff
Theme 10: Co-operative communications and publishing
The growing interest in distributed co-operative organisations (DisCos) depends on new forms of communication through digital networks that connect members within and across co-operative movements. How might DisCos transform co-operative publishing, or usher in community-led reporting? Are there platforms to challenge Facebook and Google that co-operatives can work with, or enhance/transform into new co-operatives (e.g. WT.social, Ecosia)?
Facilitators – Rebecca Harvey, Nathan Schneider
Panel Speakers – Olivia Henry, Javier Borelli
Technical Support: Rory Ridley-Duff
