NI (No.368)

<<CONTENTS>>

9 Tales of the unexpected
For all their faults, co-ops are more widespread and active than you might imagine. If economic democracy has anything to do with it, argues David Ransom, there will even more of them in future.

13 What is a co-op?
The basic principles.

14 The pollen and the bees
Economic collapse in Argentina forced thousands of workers to occupy their own places of work. Joseph Huff-Hannon reports on the aftermath.

16 Not so crazy
Amanda Roll-Pickering tells the story of a disused slate quarry in Wales that is now at the cutting edge of clean energy.

18 Co-operatives -THE FACTS

20 Sex workers with attitude
Mari Marcel Thekaekara explains how raw woman power in Kolkata (Calcutta), India, has ruffled a few feathers and made a big difference.

22 I'm a realist get me out of here!
Unreality TV as you've never seen it before - a story board by Polyp.

24 Killing distrust
Cocoa farmers in Ghana, says Kwabena Sarpong Akosah, have every reason to join the Kuapa Kokoo co-op.
PLUS: We, the Kuapa people
...Georgina Kwaw and Elizabeth Adjei explain why it goes well with fair trade.

25 Of caulkers and quilt-makers
African Americans have a long co-operative tradition. Jessica Gordon Nembhard uncovers some of it.

26 The story so far
A brief history of the international co-operative movement.

28 Get going
Where to start and who to talk to if you want to set up a co-op of your own.

<Regular Features>

2 Letters

4 Southern Exposure
Bangladeshi photographer Abir Abdullah draws inspiration from a disabled badminton player.

5 View from the South
Muammar al Qadhafi may be the West's new friend, says Ike Oguine, but he should still answer for his crimes.

6 Currents
An NI special survey of people detained worldwide in The other Guantanamo Bays: reports from Diego Garcia, Egypt, Uzbekistan, Britain, New Zealand/ Aotearoa and Israel.
PLUS: Word Corner ? Magazine
PLUS: Speechmarks and Seriously.

29 Worldbeaters
Latin America's richest man: Mexican entrepreneur Carlos Slim.

30 Mixed Media
MUSIC, BOOKS, FILM review

32 Big Bad World
Car sticker campaigning by Polyp.
PLUS: NI Prize Crossword.

33 Making Waves
Roll over Oscar and tell Grammy the news: New Zealand/Aotearoa's Roger Award for awful transnationals is here.

34 Essay - Future organic
Organic farming is the real green revolution, according to Andre Leu.

36 Country Profile - Albania.

NI-Japan (No.56)

<<CONTENTS>>

Co-operatives

Co-ops are more common than you might think-not just in Japan, but the world over. They employ more people than corporations and come in all shapes and sizes-including New Internationalist Publications itself. In this edition, we are introduced to some of the many co-ops around the world and look at the potential of these diverse organisations.

<This month's article>
-Translation of "Tales of the unexpected" (NI p9-12)

<Reporting from Japan>
- 'Food safety is not something you buy, it's something each one of us must create': From collective purchasing to socail change

- Co-op Advocacy

<Contact Points>
-Information on Co-ops in Japan

<Country Profile>
-Translation of "Country Profile - Albania" (p36)