Co-operatives are an inspiration to the new generation of young people who are suffering the greatest degree of social and economic disadvantage as a result of the global financial crisis of 2007/8. young people across the globe are being forced to adapt their economic thinking in order to survive in a harsher, less egalitarian, world. Co-operatives in many parts of the world have helped develop teaching and learning about co-operatives for young people through the formal education system. the development of educational co-operatives, including co-operative schools, are exemplars of where the co-operative model of enterprise is being taught as an equal to investor-owned enterprise and as a vibrant and successful form of business enterprise.

there has always been a close link between co-operative education and co-operative development. Awareness raising often leads to co-operative innovation and development. Perhaps the greatest potential now for co-operative education lies with youth and student co-operatives. In parts of Africa, such as Uganda and Lesotho and in schools in Latin America, education in youth and student co-operatives goes beyond providing a learning experience about co-operation. It extends to the development of the skills necessary for job creation and income generation through the development of new co-operative enterprises. their experience and success merits being extended more widely. University co-operatives in Japan and other Asian countries are also proving to be a source and training ground for a new generation of co-operative business leaders.

Co-operative education programmes like these provide an alternative narrative to the perception that entrepreneurship is just about individuals. Some countries like Poland and Malaysia have long established co-operative education programmes that encourage co-operative development and assert the strength of collective entrepreneurship. the rapid growth of youth unemployment following the global financial crisis provides opportunities to inform and inspire young people about the nature and benefits of co-operation. the UN's and ILo's endorsement of co-operative enterprise recognises that co-operatives are 'builders of the future' that will help create a more equitable global economy for young people and future generations.

Youth boards in co-operatives provide a means for established co-operatives to educate and develop dialogue with young people and to engage them in the development of co-operative enterprise. youth participation is being stimulated by the Alliance and many co-operatives around the world. Co-operative youth organisations are being formed in many countries and their representatives encouraged and enabled to participate as members of the boards of co-operatives. youth and student co-operatives have the potential to and are beginning to play an important role in addressing the growing crisis of a lost generation through youth unemployment. this affects those with low skills and, increasingly, higher skilled young people and graduates.

The expanding co-operative education sector provides opportunities to apply the 6th Principle, Co-operation among Co-operatives, and strengthen links between co-operative enterprises. this will help to ensure that education institutions run as co-operatives maximise the opportunities of co-operation between co-operatives.