Posted by:
John Duda
Participants to explore new strategies and co-op models
This year, instead of a single national conference, Good Jobs Green Jobs is organizing four regional conferences, taking place this spring. The Democracy Collaborative is excited to be a convenor of the Eastern conference, taking place on April 3rd and 4th in Philadelphia.
There are a lot of great sessions at the conference, all exploring the critical intersection between economic empowerment and ecological sustainability, but we wanted in particular to highlight three sessions which are pointing towards new models of ownership in the green economy and which we are particularly excited about:
The Worker Cooperative Model: Sustainable Jobs, Workplace Democracy and Green Principles
Workshop Session III: Wednesday, April 4, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Concentration: Workforce and Economic DevelopmentThe United Nations has declared 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives with the theme “Cooperative Enterprises Build a Better World.” Because cooperatives are democratic and focus on member-owner needs rather than maximizing return for shareholders, they are able to not only create jobs, but also create local wealth and enrich communities in an environmentally sensitive manner. This workshop will provide an overview of the cooperative business model and discuss their ability to empower workers through democratic workplaces and generate sustainable, local-based employment opportunities. The natural and historical affinity between unions and cooperatives will be demonstrated through examples.
Presenters:
Bob Noble, Cooperative Business Developer, Keystone Development Center
Peter Frank, Advocacy Coordinator, CooperationWorks!
Jeff Hornstein, President, Philadelphia Jewish Labor Committee
Workshop Session I: Tuesday, April 3, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Concentration: Responsible Investments to Rebuild the American EastHow do we find responsible investment (RI) capital for infrastructure and energy efficiency? Large pension funds and institutional investors are searching for opportunities to invest in this field. New RI strategies and partnerships are emerging, and this workshop focuses on worker-friendly funds’ efforts to finance infrastructure and energy retrofits of commercial real estate.
This educational presentation on public-private partnerships shows how workers’ capital can play a role in new financing strategies. Utilities, transportation, social, and specialist infrastructure sectors will be discussed as they relate to clean and efficient energy production and savings. Project delivery methods can decrease or increase the risk to the investor depending on the level of private control. Real estate industry experts will provide updates on energy efficiency in new construction.
Responsible Investments in Renewable and Clean Energy: The Emerging Role of Workers’ Capital
Workshop Session I: Tuesday, April 3, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Concentration: Responsible Investments to Rebuild the American EastThe wind, solar and clean energy sectors are among the fastest growing segments of the economy. Large pension funds and institutional investors are searching for opportunities to invest in the clean economy. New responsible investment (RI) strategies and partnerships are emerging.
This workshop will examine new RI partnerships in financing and project development that could provide durable new models that hold out the promise for the clean energy jobs boom to happen in the U.S., instead of offshore. This workshop will examine a local RI model of the solar farm planned for Southeast Ohio that would bring a new solar factory to the state.
This is just a small fraction of the great sessions planned for the conference; for more information, and to register (the deadline is approaching soon), see the Good Jobs Green Jobs website.