Schumacher North Lecture 2011

Ed Mayo, Cooperatives UK, 'The Wind is Behind Us – New Opportunities for a Cooperative and Sustainable Economy.'

"Perhaps we cannot raise the winds. But each of us can put up the sail,

so that when the wind comes we can catch it."

- E. F. Schumacher, Small Is Beautiful

Join us in celebrating the 100^th anniversary of the birth of E.F. Schumacher, the economist who wrote Small is Beautiful and championed 'economics as if people mattered'. Ed Mayo will deliver the 2011 Schumacher North Lecture in Manchester which will examine the opportunities available to us in the current economic climate for realising the sustainable and cooperative economy that Schumacher championed.

Ed Mayo is Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, the national trade body that campaigns for co-operation and works to promote, develop and unite co-operative enterprises. He is a long-term co-operator and has a track record of innovation and impact in his work to bring together economic life and social justice.

From 2003 – 2009, he was Chief Executive of the National Consumer Council, merging this with two other bodies to found a new statutory consumer champion, Consumer Focus, in 2008. He was described by the Independent as "the most authoritative voice in the country speaking up for consumers", while the Guardian has nominated him as one of the top 100 most influential figures in British social policy.

MERCi is particularly proud to be hosting this Schumacher North lecture in the year that we are also celebrating the 10^th anniversary of the establishment of Bridge 5 Mill, our Centre for Sustainable Living. We hope you will join us in celebrating these two exciting birthdays!

12.30pm lunch, 1.30-3pm lecture and Q&A

Free event, all welcome.