28 – 30 NOVEMBER 2021

ICA Cooperative Research Conference
& 3rd International Forum on Cooperative Law

Within the framework of the 33rd World Cooperative Congress, two preparatory research-based events – the ICA Cooperative Research Conference (Research Conference) and the 3rd International Forum on Cooperative Law (Law Forum) will be organized in a hybrid format from 28 to 30 November 2021, with the aim to stimulate discussions during the Congress.
The Research Conference and the Law Forum will be organized physically in the Grand Walkerhill Hotel as well as virtually through the Congress online platform. Both research-based events will present about 180 research papers from 43 countries and organize 18 special panel sessions, all dedicated to the issue of the Cooperative Identity.

30 NOVEMBER

Global Cooperative Impact Fund – GCI

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

Speaker

Bruno Dunkel, Director, Inpulse, Belgium


ICA G20 WG Promoting the Cooperative Identity in the G20

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 Brodsky, 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


ICETT Seminar and the Launch of the 2021
and 10th Annual Issue of World Cooperative Monitor (WCM) – EURICSE

Presentation of the ICA G20 WG established in 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.

Facilitator

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

Speakers

Martin Lowery, Chair, ICA 33rd World Cooperative Congress Task Force and ICA Identity Committee
Tarun Bhargava, Chair of the ICETT, IFFCO, India
Iñigo Albizuri Landazabal Director of Public Affairs, MONDRAGON Corporation, President, CICOPA, Spain


Conclusions of the ICA Cooperative Research Conference
and International Cooperative Law Forum

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

Ann Hoyt, Professor Emerita at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Speakers

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
Rapporteurs on the various themes


Welcome to the ICA 33rd World Cooperative Congress Cocktail

Master of Ceremonies: Gwangseog Hong, Team leader of the NACF,
and deputy Secretary General of ICAO
Zuraidah Hoffman, World Cooperative Congress communications team.

Speakers

In Dong Cho, Vice Mayor of Seoul
Jeonghee Kim, iCOOP Chairwoman
Sung-hee Lee, Chairman of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NACF)
Dr Chandrapal Singh Yadav, ICA Asia-Pacific President


Celebrating Cooperative Identity

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. John and in Inuit friend will speak from the bottom of their hearts.

Speakers

John Houston, film producer, Canada
Sokchiveneath Taing Chhoan, the Socio-Economic Development Senior Manager

1 December


Opening Speeches by Dignitaries

Master 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, ICA President, Argentina
Bruno Roelants, Director General, International Cooperative Alliance
Korean Dignitaries (TBC)
Moon Jae-in, President of South Korea
Hong Nam-ki, Minister of Economy and Finance and a Deputy Prime Minister of South Korea


Introduction to our journey

All Aboard for a Journey into Our Identity

facilitator

Karina Lehoux, Professional facilitator, Canada

Speakers

Bruno Roelants Director General, International Cooperative Alliance)


Plenary 1
Examining Our Cooperative Identity

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 stay relevant in addressing today’s global challenges?

Facilitator

Karina Lehoux, Professional facilitator, Canada

Speakers

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


Round Table 1
Examining Our Cooperative Identity – A Unique Opportunity

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

panelist

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

Parallel Sessions: Examining Our Cooperative Identity Through… (Watch on Vimeo)


Paralel sessions: Examining Our Cooperative Identity Through…

1.1 – Through a Strong Cooperative Brand

Good brand management has been shown to support business growth. In cooperatives, through the COOP marque and the dotcoop 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 the 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

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

Woonjeong Baek, Vice Chairperson, iCOOP, Republic of Korea
Ruth Jelimo Kosgei, Treasurer, Lelechego Marketing Cooperative Society, Kenya
Luz Adriana Izquierdo Hincapié, Manager of Culture and Work Environment, Grupo COOMEVA, Colombia
Ann Hoyt, Board Chair, Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin, United States
Manuel Felipe Issa Abadia, Corporate Manager of Human Management, Grupo COOMEVA, Colombia


1.3 – Through Educational Opportunities

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

Onofre Souza, 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
Lidia Voynash, Director of the Department of Personnel Policy, Education and Science of COOP Ukraine (Ukrkoopspilka)
Federico Li Bonilla, Chair of UNED, Costa Rica
Peter 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
Raúl Colombetti, Chair of Sancor Seguros Foundation, 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
Alsu Nabieva, Rector of the Russian University of Cooperation, Russia
Sally Bonnar, Chief Cooperating Officer, Childcare


1.4 – Through Cooperative Culture and Safeguarding Cultural Heritage

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
Ouim Aziz, Director, Cooperative Af Toudarte, Morocco (Live from Morocco)
Dinara Chochunbaeva, President, Kyrgyz handicraft association, Kyrgyz Republic (Online)
Hyunggeun Yoon, CEO, Hansalim, Republic of Korea
Christine M Merkek, 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 (Live from the UK)
Cerge Servando Perualila, a student at the Integrated School for Exceptional Children, South Fundidor Molo, Iloilo City
Francesca Martinelli, Director of Fondazione Centro Studi Doc, Italy
Brandon King, Community Engagement Coordinator for Resonate Co-op, United States.


1.5 – Through Partnerships with Governments

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

Jae Ho Lee, NACF, Republic of Korea
Peter Hunt, Managing Partner, Mutuo, England
Ivan Asiimwe, General Secretary, UCA, Uganda
Patxi Olabarria, President, CSCE – EKGK, Spain
Danilo Gutierrez, Executive Director, INACOOP, Uruguay
Marie-Josée Paquette, CEO, Conseil québéquois de la coopération et de la mutualité. Canada

Welcome Speech

Sung-hee Lee, Chairman of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NACF)


Plenary
What Emerges from the Plenary Session and Parallel Sessions?

An Interview with the Rapporteurs

Facilitator

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

panelist

Savitri Singh, Director, International Relations, Ational Cooperative Union of India (NCUI), India
Violetta Nafpakititi, Managing Director, DotCooperation LLC, UK
Tamala Blalock, NCBA Vice President for Cooperative Relations, United States
Doug O’Brien, president & CEO of NCBA CLUSA
João Martins, OCB, Brazil
Santosh P. Kumar, ICA Director of Legislation, Belgium
Shivali Sarna, Lead Communication and Membership DevelopmentLead, ICA-AP, India
Hyunwoo Kim, Senior Manager, National Agriculture Cooperative Federation (NACF), Republic of Korea
Camila Piñeiro Harnecker, Director at NCBA CLUSA’s Strengthening Cooperatives and Producer Groups Practice Area

Speaker

Guy Ryder, Director General, International Labour Organization

2 December

Plenary 2 – Strengthening Our Cooperative Identity

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 Second Vice President (Vicelehendakari) and Minister of Labor and Employment of the Basque Government
Iñigo Albizuri Landazabal Director of Public Affairs, MONDRAGON Corporation, President, CICOPA, Spain


Round Table
Strengthening Our Cooperative Identity—The Best of it

This expert panel will discuss whether cooperatives, by reinforcing their identity, have a unique business opportunity to innovate beyond current market conditions – as their performance after the global crash of 2008 and during the pandemic crisis suggest.

Facilitator

Karina Lehoux Professional facilitator Canada

Panelist

Idoia Mendia Second Vice President (Vicelehendakari) and Minister of Labor and Employment of the Basque Government
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

Watch the recording of the session here.


Parallel Sessions
Strengthening Our Cooperative Identity by…

2.1 – By Taking Advantage of the Digital Age

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?

Coordinator

Balu Iyer, Regional Director Asia and Pacific International, Cooperative Alliance

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

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?

Coordinator

Todor Ivanov, Secretary-General, CCW / Euro Coop, Belgium

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 Vanhuynhegem, 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


2.3 – By Having a Strong Entrepreneurial Network

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 cross-sectoral, 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 start-ups, worker and community buyouts?

Coordinator

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

Facilitator

Tarun Bhargava, Deputy General Manager, Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Ltd., Chair of ICETT, India

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

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 long-term 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

Bruno Dunkel, Managing Director of Inpulse, Belgium
Ibrahima Keïta, Directeur Général à Kafo Jiginew, Mal
Sylvia Okinlay-Paraguya, General director, NATCCO, Philippines
David Venegas, CEO, Café Perú, Peru
Paulo Martelli, Vice President and Chief Investment Officer for FinDev Canada


2.5 – By Supporting Entrepreneurial Innovation

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

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, Midcounties Cooperative, United Kingdom


Plenary
What Emerges from the Plenary Session and Parallel Sessions?
An Interview with the Rapporteurs

Facilitator

Ann Hoyt, Professor Emerita at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Panelists

P.2, Alireza Baneifar, International Affairs Manager, Iran Chamber of Cooperatives, Tehran, Iran
S 2.1, Balu Iyer, Regional Director Asia and Pacific International,
Co-operative Alliance
S 2.2, Joseph Nguna, ICA Policy director
S 2.3, Ander Etxeberria Director of Cooperative Dissemination, Mondragon Corporation, Spain
S 2.4, Bruno Dunkel, Director, Inpulse, Belgium
S 2.5, Juhee Lee, Manager of International team, SAPENet Development Center (iCOOP), Republic of Korea



Plenary 3
Committing to Our Cooperative Identity

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?

Facilitator

Karina Lehoux Professional facilitator, Canada

Keynote speaker

Ela Bhatt Founder of the Self-Employed Women’s Association of India (SEWA), India (Live from India)


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

panelist

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 & SchoolsFirst FCU president, USA
Ana Aguirre, Co-Founder and Worker-Owner, Tazebaez Co-op, Vice Chair for Europe ICA Youth, Spain


Parallel Sessions
Committing to Our Cooperative Identity for…
3.1 – For the Survival of the Planet

The top priority of a majority of institutions on the planet is to act on climate change. Covid-19 has highlighted the interdependence between the degradation of the environment and health risks – but cooperatives had already been firmly committed to UN Sustainable Development Goals, long before the pandemic. 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

Graciela Fernandez, 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, Business Director, CoopeServidores, Costa Rica
Clara Maffia, Director, Institutional Relation,OCB, Brasil


3.2 – For Peace and Equality

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 (Live from Geneva)
Mijung Jung, Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management KOREA Republic of Korea


3.3 – For Cooperative Development Across the World

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

Patrick Develtere, Professor International Development Cooperation University of Leuven, Belgium
Guy Tchami, Programme Manager, International Labour Organisation, Switzerland
Xiomara Nunez DE Cespedes, Chair of Cooperatives of the Americas Gender Committee, President Gender Committee COOPROENF,
Dominican Republic
Chris Oluoch, Program Director, Fairtrade Africa, Kenya


3.4 – For Strengthening the Community

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

Elena Perez, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Security, Basque Government, Spain
Sokchiveneath Taing Chhoan, Senior manager, Socio-Economic Development, Fédération des coopératives du Nouveau-Québec, Canada
Moon Bokyung, General manager of Gyeonggi-do Social Economy Center, Republic of Korea
Masahiro Higa, JCA Senior Managing Director, Japan


3.5 – For Facing Crises with Strength

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

Minsu Kang, Director, Seoul Cooperative Support Center, Republic of Korea
Gianluca Salvatori , Secretary General, Euricse, Italy
Todor Ivanov, Secretary-General, CCW / Euro Coop, Belgium
Iñaki Nubla, Director of KONFEKOOP, Spain
Lucia Lacuesta, Cofounder of EKI, Spain
Younghyang Kim, President, Dure Consumer’s Cooperative Union, Republic of Korea


3 December


Plenary
What Emerges from the Plenary Session and Parallel Sessions?

An Interview with the Rapporteurs

Facilitator

Ann Hoyt, Professor Emerita at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

panelist

Sumi Cho, World Cooperative Congress Local Coordinator, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Doug O’Brien, president & CEO of NCBA CLUSA
Diana Dovgan, Secretary General CICOPA, Belgium
Nazik Beishenaly, Leuven University, Leader of the study of the impact of cooperating on SDGs, Belgium
Ahyoung Kim, iCOOP Fellow Research Professor in the Department of Management of Co-operatives at Graduate School of Sungkonghoe, University, Republic of Korea
Sungsoon Park, Board member, CoopY Cooperative, Republic of Korea


Plenary 4
Living Our Cooperative Identity

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?

speaker

Olivier De Schutter United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights (pre-recorded)
Nazik Beishenaly, Leuven University, Leader of the study of the impact of cooperating on SDGs, Belgium


Presentation of SDGs Study
Round Table—Living Our Identity for the Best of SDGs

Round Table—Living Our Identity for the Best of SDGs
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

Speaker

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

panelists

Anders Lago, President, Cooperative Housing International (CHI)
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, representing ICAO Fukushima University, Japan


Paralel sessions:
Living Our Cooperative Identity with…

4.1 – With Rewarding Jobs

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

Anna Biondi, Deputy Director, ILO Actrav (Live from Switzerland)
Youngmi Choi, Life Magic Care Cooperative, Republic of Korea
Anne Laure Degris, Director, SMart, Belgium
Mirai Chatterjee, President, SEWA Cooperative Federation, India
Alireza Baneifar, International Affairs Manager, Iran Chamber of Cooperatives, Tehran, Iran


4.2 – With Accessible Health and Social Services

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

Hotaka Hara, Former Board Member, Health and Welfare Cooperatives Federation, Japan
Aeng Min, Executive Director, Korea Health Welfare Social Cooperative Federation, Republic of Korea
Giuseppe Milanese, President, Confcooperative Sanità, Italy
Gilberto Quinche, Coomeva, General Manager of the Health Sector, Colombia
Nancy Heinrichs, NorWest Coop Community Health, Executive Director, Canada


4.3 – With Enhanced Food Security

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 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
Seunghyun Cho, Assistant Research Fellow, NH Economic Research Institute at National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, Republics of Korea
Simona Cavazzutti, President, Confederation of Rural Cooperatives of Paraguay – CONCOPAR, Paraguay (Pre-recorded)
Aline Mugisho, Executive Manager, Innovative Youth in Agriculture Project (I-Youth), Nigeria


4.4 – With Affordable Housing and Energy

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)
Sem Oxenaar, Project Manager, RESCoop.eu, Belgium (Pre-recorded)
Aaron Thornell, Customer and Member Manager, The Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-operative (OREC), Canada (Live from Canada)
Guido Schwarzendahl, Managing Director, Bauverein Halle & Leuna eG, Germany
Sido Hyemin Kim, Chairperson, Minsnail Housing Co-op, Republic of Korea
Ana Dzokic, 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

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

Ilcheong YI, Senior Research Coordinator, UNRISD, Switzerland
Victor Van Vuuren, Director, ILO, Switzerland (Live from Switzerland)
Elisa Carolina Torrenegra Cabrera, Co-president of the IFSSE / Executive director, Gestarsalud, Colombia
Ariel Guarco, President, ICA, Argentina
Alexandre Roig, President, INAES (National Institute of Association and Social Economy), Argentina (Pre-recorded)
Béatrice ALAIN, Executive Director, Chantier de l’économie sociale, Canada
Juan Antonio Pedreño, President, Social Economy Europe
Stéphane Pfeiffer, Vice Mayor in charge of housing, employment, SSE, and innovative economies, City of Bordeaux, France


Plenary
What Emerges from the Plenary and Parallel Sessions?

An Interview with the Rapporteurs

facilitator

Bruno Roelants ICA Director General

panelists

Robby Tulus
Sion Whellens, Client Services Director, Calvert Cooperative, UK
Jose Perez, Secretary-General, IHCO, Spain
Sifa Chiyoge, Regional Director, ICA-Africa
Julie Lapalme, Secretary General, Cooperative Housing International, Canada


Congress Outcomes

speakers

Ann Hoyt, Professor Emerita at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Béatrice Alain, Executive Director, Chantier de l’économie sociale, Canada


Closing Ceremony

facilitator

Santosh Kumar, ICA Legislation Director

speaker

Ann Hoyt, Professor Emerita at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Martin Lowery, Chair of the Congress Task Force and the ICA Identity committee, USA
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
Oh Byeong-kwon, Acting Governor of Gyeonggi Province, Republic of Korea
Ariel Guarco, President, ICA, Buenos Aires, Argentina