Programme

Explore what is happening on each day of the World Cooperative Congress programme below. See how the sessions address the different Congress themes and find out more about the people taking part in the different sessions.

DOWNLOADS

Side Events

26 November

28 November

29 November 2021

30 November

2 December

  • The ICA Cooperative Research Conference
  • The 3rd International Forum on Cooperative Law

November 30th

Supporting our Cooperative Identity — the Pre-Congress Programme



14:00 – Global Cooperative Impact Fund – GCI (Vista Hall Lobby)

Presentation of a development fund project for the cooperative movement by the cooperative movement.



Speakers

Bruno Dunkel Director, Inpulse, Belgium

14:30 – ICA G20 WG PROMOTING THE COOPERATIVE IDENTITY IN THE G20 (Vista Hall Lobby)

Presentation of the ICA G20 WG established in 2021 and its first successes.



Facilitator

Danila Curcio Head of International Institutional Relations at Confcooperative, Italy

Stefania Marcone Chief of the International Relations and European Policies Legacoop (Alliance of Italian Cooperatives), Italy

Speakers

Howard Brodksy Chair of the ICA G20 WG, CEO of CCA Global Partners, United States (PRE-RECORDED)

Giuseppe Guerini Vice Chair of the ICA G20 WG, President of CECOP-CICOPA Europe, member of the European Economic and Social Committee, Italy

Alessandro HINNA, Vice Chair of the ICA G20 WG, Italy

15:00 – INTRODUCTION TO THE INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP THINK TANK AND LAUNCH OF THE WORLD COOPERATIVE MONITOR 2021 (Vista Hall Lobby)

The International Cooperative Entrepreneurship Think Tank (ICETT), established in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2018 by the ICA, aims to strengthen cooperatives’ entrepreneurial performance by seeking and using innovative ideas, research, education, and cooperation to address the challenges that cooperative enterprises are facing. It acts as a strategic hub to offer strategic thinking on cooperative entrepreneurship to demonstrate that the cooperative business model is a key differentiator for entrepreneurial competitiveness and strengthen cooperatives’ business performance.



Part I: ICETT Seminar (Vista Hall Lobby)



Facilitator

Karen Zimbelman Senior Director of Membership and Cooperative Relations, National Coop Grocers (NCG), USA

Speakers

Martin Lowery Chair of the Congress Task Force and ICA Identity Committee, ICA Board Director, United States

Ann Hoyt Board Chair, Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin, United States

Tarun Bhargava Chair of the ICETT, IFFCO, India

Iñigo Albizuri Landazabal Mondragon Corporation (ICETT WG4 Leader)

Sarah de Heusch Smart Coop, Belgium (ICETT WG1 Leader)

Marjaana Saarikoski SOK, Finland (ICETT WG2 Leader)

Pete Westall Midcounties Cooperative, United Kingdom (ICETT WG3 Leader)

Part II: Launch of the 2021 and 10th Annual Issue of World Cooperative Monitor (WCM) – EURICSE (Vista Hall Lobby)



Facilitator

Ilana Gotz Project Manager, EURICSE

Speakers

Gianluca Salvatori Secretary General, EURICSE

Chiara Carini, Senior Researcher, EURICSE

Pete Westall Chief Values Officer, Midcounties Cooperative, United Kingdom

Bruno Roelants Closing Remarks – ICA Director General

16:00 – Coffee break



16:30 – CONCLUSIONS OF THE ICA COOPERATIVE RESEARCH CONFERENCE AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIVE LAW FORUM (Vista Hall Lobby)

Open to all Congress participants, the main findings of the two research events that took place from November 28 to 30 will be discussed. In particular, the importance of research on cooperative identity will be discussed and the impact of this research on the daily operations of cooperatives in all sectors will be discussed.



Facilitator

Martin Lowery Chair of the Congress Task Force and ICA Identity Committee, ICA Board Director, United States

Ann Hoyt Board Chair, Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin, United States

Panelists

  • Sonja NOVKOVIC, Professor of Economics and Academic Director of the International Centre for Co-operative Management at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Canada
  • Hagen HENRY, Adjunct Professor, Research Director at University of Helsinki, Finlande
  • Patrick Develtere Professor International Development Cooperation University of Leuven, Belgium
  • Rapporteurs on the various themes

18:00 – END OF CONGRESS PRE-EVENT



18:30 – WELCOME TO THE ICA 33RD WORLD CONGRESS COCKTAIL (Vista Hall Lobby)



Masters of Ceremonies

Gwangseog Hong Team leader of the NACF, and deputy Secretary General of ICAO

Zuraidah Hoffman World Cooperative Congress communications team

Speakers

Seoul Mayor (to be confirmed)

ICA Asia-Pacific President

19:00 – CELEBRATING COOPERATIVE IDENTITY (Vista Hall Lobby)



Atautsikut / Leaving None Behind – by John Houston, film producer, Canada

A lived story of a humanitarian project based on trust and the duty to help people. The importance of cooperatives and their identity (the identity of Inuit cooperatives is intimately linked to the very identity of the people who make them up), the capacity of these cooperatives to unite individuals and communities for a common good. Johan and in Inuit friend will speak from the bottom of their hearts.

Speakers

John Houston film producer, Canada

Sokchiveneath Taing Chhoan FCNQ, Canada

19:30 – OPENING COCKTAIL OF THE COOPERATIVE INNOVATION FAIR (Vista Hall Lobby)

Welcome to the Cooperative Innovation Fair!

 

Here you will join cooperatives and organisations who will present their products, services and innovations to all Congress participants. We invite you to take this opportunity to become an exhibitor, increase your global visibility and network with Congress participants. There is unlimited space for exhibitors who choose to showcase their innovations on the Congress online platform with e-booths, which will be accessible to registered attendees one week before Congress begins on 1 December, and will remain online for a month. For those who choose to attend in person, Congress participants in Seoul will explore booths at the exhibition hall of the Grand Walkerhill Seoul Hotel. Space is limited, therefore we encourage you to reserve your booth space soon. For more information, download the Cooperative Innovation Fair exhibitor’s manual. If you’re ready, click here to complete the Coop Fair application form. You can also send an email to: coopfair@icaworldcoopcongress.coop



December 1st

09:00 – OPENING SPEECHES BY DIGNITARIES (Vista Hall Lobby)



Masters of Ceremonies

Gwangseog Hong Team leader of the NACF, and deputy Secretary General of ICAO

Zuraidah Hoffman World Cooperative Congress communications team

Speakers

Ariel Guarco Ariel Guarco, ICA President, Argentina

10:00 – ALL ABOARD FOR A JOURNEY INTO OUR IDENTITY



Introduction to our journey

Speakers

Bruno Roelants Director general, International Cooperative Alliance

10:15 – INSTRUCTION FOR THE DAY



Masters of Ceremonies

Gwangseog Hong Team leader of the NACF, and deputy Secretary General of ICAO

Zuraidah Hoffman World Cooperative Congress communications team

10:30 – COFFEE BREAK AT THE EXHIBITORS’ FAIR





11:00 – PLENARY 1 — EXAMINING OUR COOPERATIVE IDENTITY (Vista Hall Lobby)



The cooperative identity unites us to work for the common good. Our values and principles give millions of people control of their own lives, their future, and serve as the strong foundation that sets cooperatives apart from other types of enterprises. How can our business model continue to be relevant in addressing today’s global challenges?

Speakers

Youngbum Park Vice Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Republic of Korea

11:15 – ROUND TABLE 1— EXAMINING OUR COOPERATIVE IDENTITY – A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY (Vista Hall Lobby)



An expert panel will discuss the unique opportunities that our cooperative identity presents to us for meeting members’ needs and attaining expanded market share, taking the ongoing crisis as an opportunity.

Facilitator

Karina Lehoux Professional facilitator, Canada

Panelists

  • John Houston film producer, Canada
  • Youngbum Park Vice Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Republic of Korea
  • Akira Kurimoto Senior Fellow, Japan Co-operative Alliance, Japan
  • Hilda Ojall, Representative of the ICA-Africa Gender Committee on the ICA-Africa Board, former Vice President (Africa) of the ICA Youth Network, Kenya
  • Hector Jacquet, Cooperativa Obrera, Argentina

12:30 – LUNCH AT THE EXHIBITORS’ FAIR



14:00 – PARALLEL SESSIONS: EXAMINING OUR COOPERATIVE IDENTITY THROUGH…



1.1 – THROUGH A STRONG COOPERATIVE BRAND (Walker Hall)

Good brand management has been shown to support business growth. In cooperatives, through the COOP marque and the .coop domain name, branding is also a reflection of the cooperative identity, with its values and principles, helping to build loyalty and increase the number of members. Cooperative branding can highlight cooperative identity and its components that most resonate with the public, like commitment to members and the community, while giving cooperatives a competitive edge. What is the best way to manage cooperative branding? What are the best examples? And how can we measure its impact?



Facilitator

Ben Reid O.B.E, member of the Board of DotCooperation (DotCoop), retired CEO of Midcounties Cooperative, ICA Board Director, UK (LIVE FROM UK)

Panelists

  • Roz Henry CEO, Cooperative Business, New Zealand
  • Jen Horonjeff Founder and CEO, Savvy Cooperative, USA
  • Phil Ponsonby Group CEO, Midcounties Cooperative, UK
  • Isabelle Gagné Director of Communications at Quebec Council for Cooperatives and Mutuals (CQCM), Canada Conseil québéquoi de la coopération et de la mutualité, Canada
  • Juan Pablo de Leon Murillo Director of Communications at Caja Popular Mexicana, Mexico

1.2 – THROUGH INCLUSIVE GOVERNANCE (PRE-RECORDED) (Art Hall)

Participation and inclusion of cultural, gender and age diversity are fundamental for a sound cooperative governance, and they are at the heart of our cooperative identity. To keep these characteristics alive, we must continuously question ourselves: Are we inclusive enough? What can we do to keep the cooperative identity appealing to everyone? How do we make sure our governance practices are inclusive and welcoming to all?



Facilitator

Maria Eugenia Pérez Zea Chair of ICA Gender Equality Committee, President of ASCOOP, ICA Board Director, Colombia

Panelists

1.3 – THROUGH EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES (PRE-RECORDED) (Grand Hall)

Cooperative Principle #5 provides cooperatives with the basis to prioritise education, training and information for all. It’s necessary to make cooperative curricula commonly and readily available at all levels of educational institutions, from elementary and secondary schools to college and university degree programs. What are the best emblematic examples? What have we learned from them? How can they be disseminated faster?



Facilitator

Dr. Onofre Cezário de Souza Filho President of Organização das Cooperativas Brasileiras de Mato Grosso (OCB/MT), ICA Board Member, Brazil

Panelists

  • Karen Miner, Managing Director, International Centre for Co-operative Management of the Sobey School of Business, Saint Mary’s University, Canada
  • Sonja Novkovic, Chair of the ICA Committee of Cooperative Research
  • Esther Gicheru, Deputy Vice Chancellor Finance Planning & Administration of The Co-operative University of Kenya
  • Akira Kurimoto Senior Fellow, Japan Co-operative Alliance, Japan
  • Lidia Voynash, Director of the Department of Personnel Policy, Education and Science of COOP Ukraine (Ukrkoopspilka)
  • Federico Li-Bonilla Chair of UNED, Costa Rica
  • Pete Westall Chief Values Officer, Midcounties Cooperative, United Kingdom
  • Sarah Alldred Head of International Partnerships, The Co-operative College, United Kingdom
  • Neil Calvert Dean, The Co-operative College, United Kingdom
  • Raul Colombetti Chair of the Board of Sancor Seguros, Argentina
  • Abdul Rahman Abdul Razak Shaik, Associate Professor of ANGKASA, Malaysia
  • Daejoong Kang, President, National Institute for Lifelong Education (NILE), Republic of Korea
  • Ainara Udaondo Director, LANKI Institute of Cooperative Research, Mondragón University,

1.4 – THROUGH COOPERATIVE CULTURE AND SAFEGUARDING CULTURAL HERITAGE (Walker Hall)

In 2016, UNESCO, via the German cooperative movement, recognized cooperatives as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. UNESCO’s decision is an important acknowledgment of the dedication shown by millions of people working in cooperatives all over the world. What is the implication of this honour? How can we promote it to strengthen the pride in, and value of cooperative identity worldwide?



Facilitator

Stefania Marcone Chief of the International Relations and European Policies Legacoop (Alliance of Italian Cooperatives), Italy

Panelists

  • Thomas Mende Vice President and Head of Committees and Communication, DZ Bank, Germany (Seoul)
  • Thomas Knubben Director Institute of Cultural Management, Ludwigsburg University of Education, Germany
  • Giovanna Barni President, COOPCULTURE and Culturmedia, Italy (Seoul)
  • Ouim AZIZ, Director, Cooperative Af Toudarte, Morocco (Online)
  • Dinara Chochunbaeva President, Kyrgyz handicraft association, Kyrgyz Republic (Online)
  • Hyeonggeun Yoon CEO, Hansalim, Republic of Korea (Seoul)
  • Christine Merkel Cologne/Germany International Expert, Senior Adviser Member, UNESCO_EU Expert Facility Cultural Governance and Creative Economy (2011-2022) Co-Chair, EU OMC Group Cultural dimension of Sustainable Development (2020-2022) – (Online)
  • David Smith Board Member, Newport Credit Union; Trustee, Robert Owen Memorial Museum; Pro bono Secretary/Organiser Co-operatives & Mutuals Wales, UK (Online)

1.5 – THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH GOVERNMENTS (Vista Hall Lobby)

Many cooperatives have been created through grassroots campaigns. Others have been promoted and supported by governments as part of a country’s economic strategy. Others have successfully developed a partnership ecosystem with governments through public policy co-creation and co-management. It has been shown that such approaches can be effective in growing the cooperative movement, especially in rural and marginalised communities. What lessons can we learn from these approaches? How can we encourage more governments to consider these approaches as part of their strategy for a sustainable future for all?



Facilitator

Dr. Youngkon Koh President, Korea Institute for Cooperative Development (KICD), Republic of Korea

Panelists

15:30 – COFFEE BREAK AT THE EXHIBITORS’ FAIR



16:00 – PLENARY—WHAT EMERGES FROM THE PLENARY SESSION AND PARALLEL SESSIONS? AN INTERVIEW WITH THE RAPPORTEURS. (Vista Hall Lobby)



Facilitator

Martin Lowery Chair of the Congress Task Force and ICA Identity Committee, ICA Board Director, United States

Ann Hoyt Board Chair, Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin, United States

Panelists

  • Savriti Singh – P 1, Director, International Relations, Ational Cooperative Union of India (NCUI), India
  • Violetta Nafpaktiti – S 1.1, Managing Director, DotCooperation LLC, UK
  • Tamela Blalock – S 1.2, NCBA Vice President for Cooperative Relations, United States
  • João Marcos Silva Martins – S 1.3, OCB, Brazil
  • Santosh Kumar – S 1.4, ICA Director of Legislation, Belgium
  • Hyunwoo Kim – S 1.5, Senior Manager, National Agriculture Cooperative Federation (NACF), Republic of Korea

16:40 – IMPORTANCE OF THE COOPERATIVE IDENTITY FOR THE FUTURE OF WORK (Vista Hall Lobby)



Speakers

Guy Ryder Director General, International Labour Organization, Geneva

17:00 – INSTRUCTIONS FOR DAY 2 (Vista Hall Lobby)



Masters of Ceremonies

Gwangseog Hong Team leader of the NACF, and deputy Secretary General of ICAO

Zuraidah Hoffman World Cooperative Congress communications team

16:45 – END OF DAY



19:00 – GALA



December 2nd

09:00 – WELCOME WORDS (Vista Hall Lobby)



Masters of Ceremonies

Gwangseog Hong Team leader of the NACF, and deputy Secretary General of ICAO

Zuraidah Hoffman World Cooperative Congress communications team



09:10 – PLENARY 2 – STRENGTHENING OUR COOPERATIVE IDENTITY (Vista Hall Lobby)



Innovation and entrepreneurship are more important than ever in facing today’s complex global economy. The people-centred cooperative model nurtures talent, creativity and encourages innovative ideas to create a more humane and inclusive society. How do we make our cooperative identity a competitive advantage in the global market?

Speakers

Idoia Mendia Deputy Lehendakari [Governor], Basque Autonomous Region, Spain

Iñigo Albizuri Landazabal Director of Public Affairs, MONDRAGON Corporation, President, CICOPA, Spain

09:25 – ROUND TABLE—STRENGTHENING OUR COOPERATIVE IDENTITY—THE BEST OF IT (Vista Hall Lobby)



This expert panel will discuss the question regarding whether cooperatives, by reinforcing their identity, have a unique business opportunity to innovate beyond current market conditions, for which there is ample evidence, including the financial recession of 2008, as well as, probably, the current economic crisis generated by the pandemic.

Facilitator

Karina Lehoux Professional facilitator Canada

Panelists

  • Idoia Mendia Deputy Lehendakari [Governor], Basque Autonomous Region, Spain
  • Iñigo Albizuri Landazabal Director of Public Affairs, MONDRAGON Corporation, President, CICOPA, Spain
  • Seungkwon Jang Professor Department of Management of Co-operatives, Graduate School Sungkonghoe University, Republic of Korea
  • Tarun Bhargava Deputy General Manager, Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Ltd., Chair of ICETT, India
  • Sylandi Brown Marketing & Communications Specialist, Middle Georgia EMC, United States

10:40 – COFFEE BREAK AT THE EXHIBITORS’ FAIR



11:10 – PARALLEL SESSIONS: STRENGTHENING OUR COOPERATIVE IDENTITY BY…



2.1 – BY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE DIGITAL AGE (Walker Hall)

The digital economy is around us. It transforms the world as we know it. From the “new normal”
introduced by COVID-19, business models are emerging motivated by positive social impact, sustainable
development and inclusion of gender and cultures. However, the digital economy is profoundly disrupting
the world of work. What must be done to remain a source of inspiration while respecting members and
their common interest? How can cooperatives guarantee a bright future for workers while going digital?



Facilitator

Dr. Saji Gopinath Vice Chancellor of Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology, India

Panelists

  • Bitange Ndemo , Professor of Entrepreneurship, University of Nairobi, School of Business, Kenya
  • Louis Cousin , Sales Director, Startin’blox, Canada
  • Maria Rita Valencia Molina National Manager of Education and Democracy, Cooperativa Medica del Valle y de Profesionales de Colombia, Coomeva, Colombia
  • Sarah de Heusch Institutional Affairs Officer, Smart, Belgium

2.2 – BY SUPPORTING AN ETHICAL VALUE CHAIN MANAGEMENT (PRE-RECORDED) (Art Hall)

All types of organizations need to demonstrate an ethical, strong and resilient value chain that meets the highest standards to fight modern slavery, financial crime and climate change. Cooperative members are demanding more information on the products and services they consume. Regulators are considering stricter enforcement programs with substantial penalties for those who do not comply. How satisfactory are the relationships of cooperatives to current partner organizations in various value chains? Are there more business opportunities within the global Fair-Trade? Are secondary and tertiary cooperatives being used for leveraging the regional and global markets? Are they providing enough support to primary cooperatives and their communities?



Facilitator

Marjaana Saarikoski Communication Director, SOK, ICA Board Director, Finland

Panelists

  • Mayuko Asahina Director of Brand Strategy Division, Japanese Consumers’ Co-operative Union (JCCU), Japan
  • Philippe Vanhuynegem Chief, Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work Branch, ILO, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Nina Elomaa Senior Vice-President, SOK, Finland
  • Anne Chappaz Chief, Institutions and Ecosystems, International Trade Centre, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Jane Kathuku Managing Director, Kenya Cooperative Coffee Exporters
  • Younghyang Kim President of Dure Consumer’s Co-operative Federation, Republic of Korea

2.3 – BY HAVING A STRONG ENTREPRENEURIAL NETWORK (Vista Hall Lobby)

Innovation and entrepreneurship require the ability to connect to a large support network of people, ideas and financial resources. Successful cooperative partnerships and groupings, both sectoral and crosssectoral, have developed in many countries over the last decades, based on cooperative Principle #6: cooperation among cooperatives. Can strong global networks of cooperatives be created to increase market shares and enter new ones? How do cooperatives pool entrepreneurial support services for startups, worker and community buyouts?



Facilitator

Iñigo Albizuri Landazabal Director of Public Affairs, MONDRAGON Corporation, President, CICOPA, Spain

Panelists

  • E.G. Nadeau Co-Director, The Cooperative Society Project, USA
  • Tarun Bhargava Deputy General Manager, Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Ltd., Chair of ICETT, India
  • Javier Goienetxea President of the Congress, MONDRAGON Corporation, Arrasate, Spain
  • Mirai Chatterjee Chairperson, SEWA Cooperative Federation, India

2.4 – BY MEETING FUTURE CAPITAL NEEDS (PRE-RECORDED) (Grand Hall)

Based on their identity, cooperative enterprises have a specific capital structure because of their ownership and control system, with limited nominal capital contributed by members, while building longterm reserve funds. As a result, cooperatives strive to find innovative ways to build capital in order to support their development and make sure their capitalization model is taken into consideration by regulators. What should be done to ensure a form of capital management that allows for cooperatives to innovate, be resilient, grow and succeed in their mission?



Facilitator

Gerardo Almaguer President and CEO of Développement international Desjardins (DID), Canada

Panelists

2.5 – BY SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURIAL INNOVATION (Walker Hall)

According to their international definition, cooperatives are characterized by being both enterprises and associations, and their true identity can only be acquired if a balance between the two elements is maintained. Therefore, entrepreneurial innovation must embody cooperative values and principles. What are their growth trajectories? How have cooperatives pursued entrepreneurial innovation while embodying cooperative values? What challenges must cooperatives overcome to become successful future businesses?



Facilitator

Dr. Chanho Choi Senior Consultant, Korea Institute for Cooperative Development, Republic of Korea

Panelists

  • Jeonghee Kim Chairperson, iCOOP, Republic of Korea
  • Akira Kurimoto Senior Fellow, Japan Co-operative Alliance, Japan
  • Alejandro Simón CEO of Sancor Seguros & President of CITES (Centre for Technological, Business and Social Innovation), Argentina
  • Jose Mari Luzarraga Co-founder, Mondragon Team Academy (MTA World) and Professor, Mondragon University, Spain
  • Lizzie Hieron Chief Operating Officer, Utilities, Midcounties Co-operative, UK

12:40 – LUNCH AT THE EXHIBITORS’ FAIR



14:10 – PLENARY – WHAT EMERGES FROM THE PLENARY SESSION AND PARALLEL SESSIONS? AN INTERVIEW WITH THE RAPPORTEURS (Vista Hall Lobby)



Facilitator

Martin Lowery , Chair of the Congress Task Force and ICA Identity Committee, ICA Board Director, United States

Panelists

  • Alireza Banaeifar – P.2, International Affairs Manager, Iran Chamber of Cooperatives, Tehran, Iran
  • Balasubramanian Iyer – S 2.1, Regional Director Asia and Pacific International, Co-operative Alliance
  • Todor Ivanov – S 2.2, Secretary General, Eurocoop
  • Ander Etxeberria-Otadui – S 2.3, Director of Cooperative Dissemination, Mondragon Corporation, Spain
  • Bruno Dunkel – S 2.4, Director, Inpulse, Belgium
  • Juhee Lee – S 2.5, Manager of International team, SAPEN Development Center (iCOOP), Republic of Korea



14:40 – PLENARY 3 – COMMITTING TO OUR COOPERATIVE IDENTITY (LIVE FROM INDIA) (Vista Hall Lobby)

Inclusion and humanity are at the core of our identity, making cooperatives a valuable tool in the construction of positive peace. We respond to the needs of refugees, rebuild after natural disasters, look after the most vulnerable, and respond to the ravages of a global pandemic. These crises are constantly threatening an increasingly globalised economy. How can cooperatives work together to bring about positive and lasting change in the world?



14:55 – ROUND TABLE—COMMITTING TO OUR COOPERATIVE IDENTITY FOR A POSITIVE GLOBAL CHANGE

The expert panel will discuss the present and future roles of cooperatives in affecting positive global change. Cooperatives have been very much involved and have very much to offer regarding peace construction and reconstruction, addressing the needs of refugees and manage natural disaster recovery.

Facilitator

Karina Lehoux Professional facilitator, Canada

Speakers

Ela Bhatt Founder of the Self-Employed Women’s Association of India (SEWA), India (LIVE FROM INDIA)

Panelists

  • Ela Bhatt Founder of the Self-Employed Women’s Association of India (SEWA), India (LIVE FROM INDIA)
  • Giuseppe Guerini Vice Chair of the ICA G20 WG, President of CECOP-CICOPA EUROPE
  • Pauline D’Amboise, Secretary General and Vice-president Governance and Sustainable Development, Desjardins Group, Canada (PRE-RECORDED)
  • Bill Cheney WOCCU Worldwide Foundation Board member & Schools First FCU president, USA
  • Ana Aguirre Co-Founder and Worker-Owner, Tazebaez Co-op, Vice Chair for Europe ICA Youth, Spain

16:10 – COFFEE BREAK AT THE EXHIBITORS’ FAIR



16:40 – PARALLEL SESSIONS: COMMITTING TO OUR COOPERATIVE IDENTITY FOR…



3.1 – FOR THE SURVIVAL OF THE PLANET (Grand Hall)



The top priority of a majority of institutions on the planet is to act on climate change. The pandemic has highlighted the interdependence between the degradation of the environment and health risks. Cooperatives have been committed to and have been responding to UN Sustainable Development Goals long before these came into being. How does the global cooperative movement fight against climate change? What measures are being taken in cooperative sectors—agriculture, fisheries, consumption, housing, health, banking, insurance, industry and services, etc. to mitigate the adverse effects of the climate crisis and build resilience? How do the different cooperative sectors address the loss of biodiversity? What are the best coping strategies?

Facilitator

Dr. Graciela Fernández President, Cooperatives of the Americas, ICA Board Director, Uruguay

Panelists

  • Chikako Futamura Executive Director, Japanese Consumers’ Cooperative Union (JCCU), Japan
  • S. P. Singh Managing Director, Indian Farm Forestry Development Cooperative Ltd. (IFFDC), India
  • Aboma Anuma Getachew Capacity Building and Cooperative Support Senior Expert, Oromia Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Union, Ethiopia
  • Yanio Concepcion President, Cooperativa Vega Real, Dominican Republic
  • Hugo Villalta Solano Business Director, CoopeServidores, Costa Rica
  • Clara Maffia Director, Institutional Relation,OCB, Brasil

3.2 – FOR PEACE AND EQUALITY (Art Hall)



According to the ICA Declaration on Positive Peace through Cooperatives (2019), peace based on “good contribution in the community, particularly cooperation and integration, reconciliation and equality” is positive peace. Many times, cooperatives have been directly involved in positive peace initiatives without being necessarily recognized for the direct role they have played. Does support for positive peace feature prominently in the global cooperative movement? How do their actions translate into restoring post-conflict peace and stability, conflict prevention, natural disaster recovery and the refugee crisis?

Facilitator

Om Devi Malla Senior vice chairperson of National Cooperative Federation of Nepal, ICA Board Director, Nepal

Panelists

  • Maria Eugenia Pérez Zea Chair of ICA Gender Equality Committee, President of ASCOOP, ICA Board Director, Colombia
  • Malena Riudavets, vice-president of COCETA, Spain
  • Claudia Sanchez Bajo, Researcher, CESOT, Faculty of Economics, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Mijung Jung, Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management KOREA Republic of Korea

3.3 – FOR COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE WORLD (Vista Hall Lobby)



By giving local communities direct control over their destiny, whether in agricultural production, health, housing, education, industry, retail, banking or energy, cooperatives play a decisive role in the world economy. There are lessons to be learned from successes and failures in international cooperative development. What lessons have been learnt from the ICA-EU Partnership programme in cooperative development? How have the values and principles which are part of the cooperative identity been important in this process?

Facilitator

Anders Lago Chair of HSB, Chair of the ICA International Cooperative Development Platform, ICA Board Director, Sweden

Panelists

3.4 – FOR STRENGTHENING THE COMMUNITY (Walker Hall)



Cooperative Principle #7: Concern for Community emphasizes the cooperative contribution to local community development, while promoting the economic participation of their members. The cooperative model has the potential to play a key role in communities facing various social problems, such as poverty, inequality and unemployment. It is an excellent model for building circular and autogenous communities by promoting the revitalization of the regional economy, creating jobs and increasing the social and economic participation of members in community development. How can this be enhanced to help communities facing various social issues? How can the cooperative movement help build independent, self-reliant communities that will reinvest their own knowledge and resources back in the community itself?

Facilitator

Eric Bidet , Co-president of Addes and professor at Le Mans University, France

Panelists

3.5 – FOR FACING CRISES WITH STRENGTH (Walker Hall)



The COVID-19 pandemic is the best example of how disasters often occur unexpectedly and cause social, health and economic harm. Our open democratic system helps us face and overcome health, social and economic crises. Cooperatives have repeatedly shown resilience to crises. What have cooperatives done to emerge from this crisis?

Facilitator

Sangyoun Lee , Professor of Sungkonghoe University, Republic of Korea

Panelists

18:10 – END OF DAY 2



December 3rd

09:00 – WELCOME WORDS (Vista Hall Lobby)



Masters of Ceremonies

Gwangseog Hong Team leader of the NACF, and deputy Secretary General of ICAO

Zuraidah Hoffman World Cooperative Congress communications team

09:10 – PLENARY – WHAT EMERGES FROM THE PLENARY SESSION AND PARALLEL SESSIONS? AN INTERVIEW WITH THE RAPPORTEURS (Vista Hall Lobby)



Facilitator

Martin Lowery Chair of the Congress Task Force, and the ICA Identity Committee, ICA Board Director, United States

Panelists

  • Sumi CHO – P.3, World Cooperative Congress Local Coordinator, Seoul, Republic of Korea
  • Danilo Salerno – S 3.1, Regional Director, Cooperatives of the Americas, Costa Rica
  • Diana Dovgan – S 3.2, Secretary General CICOPA, Belgium
  • Marc Noël – S 3.3, International Development Director– ICA-EU Partnership Programme
  • Ahyoung Kim – S 3.4, iCOOP Fellow Research Professor in the Department of Management of Co-operatives at Graduate School of Sungkonghoe University, Republic of Korea
  • Sungsoon Park – S 3.5, PhD Student, Sungkonghoe University, Seoul, Republic of Korea



09:45 – PLENARY 4 – LIVING OUR COOPERATIVE IDENTITY (Vista Hall Lobby)

The foundation of our identity drives cooperatives to pursue fundamental positive change in our world such as support for the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. As grassroots organisations led by their members, cooperatives are working strongly to offer effective approaches to sustainable development in the communities in which they are rooted. But how are UN global policies being turned into effective local actions?



Speakers

Olivier De Schutter United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, United States (PRE-RECORDED)

PRESENTATION OF SDGs STUDY (Vista Hall Lobby)



Speakers

Nazik Beishenaly Leuven University, Leader of the study of the impact of cooperating on SDGs, Belgium

10:10 – ROUND TABLE—LIVING OUR IDENTITY FOR THE BEST OF SDGs (Vista Hall Lobby)



Representatives of the ICA sectors will present their top three ideas for addressing the Sustainable Development Goals. Attendees will have the opportunity to comment and add ideas to the discussion.

Facilitator

Karina Lehoux Professional facilitator, Canada

Panelists

  • Bhima SUBRAHMANYAM, President, International Cooperative Banking association (ICBA),ICA,Brussels Managing Director/CEO,NAFSCOB, Mumbai
  • Anders Lago President, Cooperative Housing International (CHI)
  • Dr. Carlos Zarco President, IHCO, director, Fundacion Espriu, Spain
  • Shaun Tarbuck CEO, ICMIF, UK
  • Giuseppe Guerini Vice President, CICOPA, Italy
  • Ryota Koyama Professor, Faculty of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Fukushima University, Japan

11:10 – COFFEE BREAK AT THE EXHIBITORS’ FAIR



11:40 – PARALLEL SESSIONS: LIVING OUR COOPERATIVE IDENTITY WITH…



4.1 – WITH REWARDING JOBS (Grand Hall)



To maintain the cooperative movement’s vision of fair and ethical economic development to ensure a bright future and rewarding jobs, more autonomy and active participation for workers, cooperatives must adapt to the changes brought about by computer systems and AI. They demonstrate a high level of innovation in creating new forms of work and working relationships. How will the relationship between unions and cooperatives look like in the future? What lessons can we learn from these new approaches?

Facilitator

Osamu Nakano Japan Workers’ Co-operative Union (JWCU), Japan

Panelists

4.2 – WITH ACCESSIBLE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES (Art Hall)



There are few issues that unite people around the world more than health care and health-related social services, especially under a global pandemic. Cooperatives have excelled in both fields and offer a unique alternative to the debate between public and private services. What innovative approaches have been implemented to face the growing cost of health care? How are cooperatives meeting the growing needs of both aging populations and vulnerable people? What might a cooperative program reflecting the future of care look like? How can the cooperative movement contribute to making health a priority for all?

Facilitator

Dr. Carlos Zarco President, IHCO, director, Fundacion Espriu, Spain

Panelists

4.3 – WITH ENHANCED FOOD SECURITY (Walker Hall)



The relationship between food production and consumption is being tested in many ways—climate change, drought, flooding, refugee displacement, and rural depopulation. Particularly acute is the disruption of the chains of production and distribution. This, however, has provided a renewed role to cooperatives engaged in agricultural production. How do cooperatives address new ways to ensure production in food systems? How does this contribute to building sustainable, ethical and inclusive value chains?

Facilitator

Musa Sydney Sibandze President, Eswatini Farmers’ Cooperative Union, Eswatini

Panelists

  • Toru Nakaya President, JA Zenchu, Japan
  • Guilherme Brady Chief of Unit, Family Farming Engagement and Parliamentary Networks, FAO, Italy, Rome
  • Dr. Seunghyun Cho Assistant Research Fellow, NH Economic Research Institute at National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, Republic of Korea
  • Simona Cavazzutti Executive Manager, Innovative Youth in Agriculture Project (I-Youth), Nigeria
  • Aline Mugisho Executive Manager, Innovative Youth in Agriculture Project (I-Youth), Nigeria

4.4 – WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND ENERGY (Walker Hall)



Access to affordable housing and affordable energy are closely linked. Cooperatives have a role to play in the provision of both. Can housing cooperatives be instrumental in providing clean, affordable energy to their members? Are there opportunities for collaboration with cooperatives in the energy sector?

Facilitator

Alexandra Wilson Retired CEO of The Agency for Co-operative Housing, ICA Board Director, Canada

Panelists

  • Dirk Vansintjan President, RESCoop.eu, Belgium (PRE-RECORDED)
  • Aaron Thornell Customer and Member Manager, The Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-operative (OREC), Canada (LIVE FROM CANADA)
  • Sido Hyemin Kim Chairperson, Minsnail Housing Co-op, Republic of Korea
  • Guido Schwarzendahl Managing Director, Bauverein Halle & Leuna eG, Germany
  • Ana Džokić Founder of Elektropionir Energy Cooperative, Belgrade, Serbia LIVE FROM SERBIA
  • David Avina Assistant Director Member Services, Urban Homesteading Assistance Board (UHAB), United States (LIVE FROM USA)
  • Thomas Boisvert St-Arnaud Founding Member and President of Poisson Entêté cooperative, Canada

4.5 – WITHIN THE SOCIAL AND SOLIDARITY ECONOMY (Vista Hall Lobby)



Cooperatives and other social and solidarity economy actors working with local governments in delivering services within society constitute an engine to improve local and territorial development. It is recognized that the social and solidarity economy (SSE) create wealth in urban and rural areas and contributes to sustainable local and territorial development. What are the best practices in such partnerships? How do we develop policies and programs that are favourable to the social and solidarity economy?

Facilitator

Laurence Kwark Secretary General, Global Social Economy Forum, Republic of Korea

Panelists

13:10 – LUNCH AT THE EXHIBITORS’ FAIR



14:40 – PLENARY – WHAT EMERGES FROM THE PLENARY AND PARALLEL SESSIONS? AN INTERVIEW WITH THE RAPPORTEURS (Vista Hall Lobby)



Facilitator

Martin Lowery Chair of the Congress Task Force and the ICA Identity Committee, ICA Board Director, United States

Panelists

  • Robby Tulus P4
  • Anton MÖLLER- S 4.1, Policy and Research Assistant, CICOPA, Belgium CICOPA, Belgium
  • Jose Pérez – S 4.2, Secretary-General, IHCO, Spain
  • Dr. Chiyoge B. Sifa – S 4.3, Regional Director, ICA-Africa
  • Julie LaPalme – S 4.4, Secretary General, Cooperative Housing International, Canada
  • Benjamin JOUANNES – S 4.5, Global Social Economy Forum, Republic of Korea

15:15 – SIGNATURE OF THE CHARTER OF THE INTERNATIONAL COALITION OF THE SOCIAL AND SOLIDARITY ECONOMY (Vista Hall Lobby)



Facilitator

Laurence Kwark GSEF

Speakers

Ariel Guarco ICA President, Argentina

Pierre HURMIC, President of GSEF, Mayor of Bordeaux, France, President of GSEF

Sibylle Reichert, Executive Director of AIM, Brussels

Elisa Carolina Torrenegra Cabrera Co-president of the IFSSE / Executive director, Gestarsalud, Colombia

Shaun Tarbuck CEO, ICMIF, UK

15:45 – CONGRESS OUTCOMES (Vista Hall Lobby)



Speakers

Martin Lowery Chair of the Congress Task Force and ICA Identity Committee, ICA Board Director, United States

Ann Hoyt Board Chair, Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin, United States

16:00 – NEXT STEPS (Vista Hall Lobby)



Speakers

Bruno Roelants Director General, ICA, Brussels, Belgium

16:10 – CLOSING CEREMONY (Vista Hall Lobby)



Masters of Ceremonies

Gwangseog Hong Team leader of the NACF, and deputy Secretary General of ICAO

Zuraidah Hoffman World Cooperative Congress communications team

Speakers

Yolanda DÍAZ PÉREZ, Second Deputy Prime Minister. Minister of Labour and Social Economy of the Government, Spain (PRE-RECORDED)

Representatives of Korean Government (TBC)

Chairperson of Korea Cooperative Solidarity

Vice governor of Gyeonggi Province

Ariel Guarco ICA, Buenos Aires, Argentina

17:00 – END OF THE 33rd WORLD COOPERATIVE CONGRESS



Post-Congress Events

4 December