Around 400 representatives from all sectors of the Raiffeisen cooperative system followed the invitation of the Raiffeisen Association on November 18 to the large closing event “Cooperatives – Together Strong” at the Bozen Exhibition Centre. The event honoured the daily commitment of the elected representatives who, within the Association’s 360 member cooperatives, take responsibility for their members and for the development of the region.
In his welcoming address, Association Chairman Herbert Von Leon highlighted the strength of cooperative collaboration: “Cooperatives are a success model in South Tyrol – they create stability, added value and hold our region together.” Von Leon expressed his thanks to the elected representatives: “You are the backbone of our cooperatives. Your daily commitment, your time and your engagement make our cooperative system strong and vibrant.”
Von Leon also thanked the numerous representatives from politics, business and the cooperative sector for attending the celebration.
In a video message, Governor Arno Kompatscher underlined the role of cooperatives “as a key pillar of the economic and social success of our region.” Cooperatives encounter us everywhere in everyday life through their products and services, often without us being consciously aware of it, the Governor noted.
Provincial Councillor Rosmarie Pamer, responsible for cooperatives, emphasised the importance of solidarity and cooperation—values she had also experienced during visits to development projects in Uganda. Through their diversity, cooperatives provide solutions in almost all areas of life “that individuals could not manage on their own,” Pamer said.
Two keynote speeches by futurologist and author Oona Horx Strathern and leadership expert Prof. Kurt Matzler set strong thematic impulses. Horx Strathern demonstrated with her concept of the “Kindness Economy” how trust, empathy and sustainable values make organisations fit for the future—principles that cooperatives have always embodied. Drawing on his experiences in extreme cycling, Matzler illustrated how mental strength is developed and the importance of goal orientation and focus for top performance.
Ursula Thaler, Chair of the Working Group “Women in Cooperative Leadership,” stressed how important it is that more women take on responsibility in boards of directors in the future. Diversity—of women as well as young and experienced representatives—is crucial for the sustainable development of cooperatives. Thaler called on those present to actively encourage women to get involved and to become visible as role models.
In his closing remarks, Director General Robert Zampieri brought together the two thematic strands: “The Kindness Economy puts people at the centre; mental strength makes us capable of action. Both shape the commitment of our elected representatives—and that is something we can be proud of.”
Moderator Markus Frings guided the audience through the evening, which showcased the diversity of the Raiffeisen cooperative system and marked a fitting conclusion to the International Year of Cooperatives at the local level.
From left to right: leadership expert Prof. Kurt Matzler, moderator Markus Frings, futurologist Oona Horx Strathern, Provincial Councillor Rosmarie Pamer, Association Chairman Herbert Von Leon, Director General Robert Zampieri, and Ursula Thaler (Chair of the “Working Group Women in Cooperative Leadership”).
Leadership expert Prof. Kurt Matzler spoke on the topic “Strong in Thinking – Strong in Action. The Mindset for Trust, Strength and Peak Performance.”
Futurologist and author Oona Horx Strathern spoke on “Kindness Economy – Shaping the Future with Humanity.”
