Is the Co-operative movement large-scale practical and progressive corporate activism in action? Should more attention be paid in the academic field of International Relations to the worldwide phenomenon of co-operatives? The Co-operative Group says: 

'Our movement
A world of co-operatives. There are many co-operative businesses throughout the world, of which The Co-operative Group is the largest consumer co-operative. We are a group of businesses that share the same values and principles. Whether it’s the environment, animal rights, fair trade or genetically modified food, we want to make sure you can do business with us without worrying about where your money is going. 10 million people in the UK are members of a co-operative. On Sunday 29 July 2007, The Co-operative Group and United Co-operatives amalgamated.  The new Society is the world’s largest consumer co-operative with a turnover of more than £9 billion, 4.5 million members and 87,500 employees.'

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Are the fields of politics and international relations lagging far behind critical geography from the perspective of activist scholarship? Considering the vibrancy and scope of the upcoming 5th International Critical Geography Conference in Mumbai, India, in December 2007 and the absence of any politics and IR equivalent it would appear so. ICCG say:

'The primary and overarching theme of the conference will be about imperialism and social justice and their social (political-economic-cultural) and environmental (socio-ecological, physical) aspects. Representatives of political organisations, unions, and social movements will also be invited to address these inter-related issues.'

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Omayma Abdel-Latif, Marina S. Ottaway 
Carnegie Endowment,  July 2007 
 
'Islamist women are increasingly involved in political processes and could spawn a full-fledged Islamist movement for women’s rights, finds a new study by the Carnegie Endowment.   In Women in Islamist Movements: Toward an Islamist Model of Women’s Activism, Carnegie scholars Omayma Abdellatif and Marina Ottaway argue that women’s participation in Islamist movements reflects a growing trend toward women’s activism in the Arab world, though quite different from Western norms. Through interviews and conversations with women belonging to Lebanon’s Hizballah, Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, and other Islamist organizations across numerous Arab nations, the authors found an energetic debate among women activists on their newfound role as political actors.'

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The EAO Programme  say:

'Real democracy is not a spectator sport. Do you want to build a well-organized social movement that can challenge the downsizing of democracy and promote the common good? If so, check out our master's program in Environmental Advocacy and Organizing--where we train students for activist careers as public interest advocates and grassroots organizers working for ecological sustainability, social justice, and the democratic control of corporations.'

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