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Report on the 33° World Cooperative Congress Outcomes

By Ann Hoyt

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ICA Cooperative Research Conference and the 3rd International Forum on Cooperative Law

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Examining our Cooperative Identity
Discussion Paper for the 33° World Cooperative Congress
(pdf 243 Ko)

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The statement on the cooperative identity

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Cooperative Identity
in Asia & Pacifico
(pdf 31 Mo)

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Guidance Notes on the Cooperative Principles

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  • The Congress will be held on 1-3 December 2021 in person in Seoul (Republic of Korea) and online
  • The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) organises World Cooperative Congresses every 5-10 years to bring together the global cooperative movement
  • Keynote speakers include International Labour Organization Director General, Guy Ryder; SEWA founder Ela Bhatt; and UN Special Rapporteur for Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, Olivier de Schutter.

The global cooperative movement was welcomed to the World Cooperative Congress in Seoul by the President of the Republic, Moon Jae-in, who delivered a keynote address at the event’s inaugural ceremony on 1 December.

The Congress also heard from Minister of Economy, Hong Nam-ki, who highlighted the important role of the social economy in Korea.

“It is a real honour to open this Congress in your presence. We are profoundly grateful for your hospitality," said ICA President Ariel Guarco.

He added: “At this World Cooperative Congress we will seek to share learning and build new proposals to deepen our Cooperative Identity in a global scenario still critical and uncertain in health, economic, social and environmental terms.”

ICA Director General Bruno Roelants introduced the Congress theme and sub-themes, calling on in-person and online delegates to contribute to the discussion around deepening the cooperative identity.

Over the next three days, Congress delegates will explore cooperatives’ role in tackling some of the most pressing global challenges in order to build a more secure future. Using the current COVID-19 and climate crises as a framework, discussions will aim to deepen the cooperative identity by examining its values, strengthening its actions, committing to its principles and living its achievements.

The International Cooperative Alliance organises World Cooperative Congresses every 5-10 years to bring together the global cooperative movement. Over 1,000 delegates from Korea and around the world are expected in Seoul with hundreds of others registering to attend virtually. The Congress will be a hybrid event, taking place both in person in Seoul, and online.

Keynote speakers include International Labour Organization Director General, Guy Ryder; SEWA founder Ela Bhatt; UN Special Rapporteur for Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, Olivier de Schutter; and deputy president and regional minister for labour and employment in the Basque government, Idoia Mendia. The full list of speakers is available here. The Congress programme and full media kit is available here.

The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) has announced that the 33rd World Cooperative Congress will be held in Seoul, the Republic of Korea from 1 to 3 December 2021. The theme for this event will be “Deepening our Cooperative Identity” to strengthen the cooperative movement’s role in addressing global challenges and also explore avenues to improve lives at the local and global levels.

The original Congress was due to be held in November 2020 in Seoul but had to postponed due to the COVID-19 crisis. This year marks both the 125th anniversary of the ICA, which was founded in 1895 to promote the interests of cooperatives worldwide, and the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the ICA Statement on the Cooperative Identity which was adopted on 21 September 1995.

Ariel Guarco, the President of the ICA, said: “I'm delighted to confirm that the 33rd World Cooperative Congress will go ahead next year in Seoul. This will be an opportunity to share experiences of resilience in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and discuss how cooperatives can overcome other global challenges from climate change to gender equality. Together we can create a better, fairer and more inclusive world for generations to come.”

All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives (ACFSMC) have signed on as the premiere Pillar Partner for this event. This signals ASFSMC ‘s commitment to make this event a success and their dedication to bringing together the cooperative movement during a challenging yet critical time.   

Li Chunsheng, the president of ICA Asia and Pacific (ICA AP), and also Vice President of ASFSMC  said: "This event will allow the cooperative movement to strengthen our relationships with each other, our role in improving the global economy, and to share with our partners that we have proven solutions to many of the global challenges the world is facing today.”

To learn more about the event, cooperators, sponsors and interested visitors can visit the new dedicated website here: https://ICAWorldCoopCongress.coop .

Park Cha Hoon, President of the Council of Korean Cooperatives, co-hosts for this event, said: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming cooperators to Seoul. At the 33rd World Cooperative Congress we will get a glimpse of what cooperative identity means for Korean cooperatives, and how co-ops can help drive sustainable development in communities.”

Mr Guarco added: “Cooperation is not only good for addressing crises. Cooperation is the alternative way to build a fairer, more balanced and, fundamentally, less fragile economy in the face of global challenges. Our cooperative identity, values and principles have remained strong and are the foundation for cooperatives worldwide to help their communities survive and cope following the pandemic.'”