In November the global co-op movement will meet in Malaysia for the International Co-operative Alliance Global Conference and General Assembly. The biennial event will bring together delegates from around the world to explore how co-operatives are putting people at the centre of development.
Malaysia is home to 12,000 co-operatives with over seven million members and a turnover of RM 34,950.98m (USD $8,126.29m). Their apex body, ANKGASA, was founded in 1966 to unify Malaysian co-ops and represent them at national and international level.
The event’s programme promises a diverse schedule structured around four themes: learn, experiment, network and explore.
The conference opens on Wednesday, 15 November, with a keynote speech by Dr Linda Yueh, who will provide a global outlook on economic, environmental and social challenges and the possible contributions of co-operatives in addressing them. Dr Yueh is a member of the World Economic Forum, a fellow in economics at Oxford University and adjunct professor at the London Business School.
There will also be debates, workshops and networking sessions covering subjects such as ‘Building partnerships for the future’, ‘What is the Alliance’s member value?’ and ‘An analysis of the contributing to citizens’ health by co-ops’.
Delegates can also attend a book signing session by Ed Mayo, secretary general of Co-operatives UK, who will present his upcoming book A Short History of Co-operation, and have the chance to meet the candidates for the Alliance’s board before the elections at the General Assembly.
On Thursday the conference will continue with a plenary on ‘Assessing the co-operative sector’, additional workshops and debates, and a closing plenary including a keynote presentation by Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, former prime minister of Norway, who will discuss the implications for building a more sustainable future as a united movement.
An all-day visit to Malaysian co-ops is available on Wednesday and Thursday. A closing reception takes place on Thursday evening.
Friday will be dedicated to the Alliance’s General Assembly, which is also open to attendees not representing member organisations. The agenda will include the election of the Alliance Board, the approval of the 2016 accounts and appointment of the auditor and proposed amendments to articles and by-laws and motions or resolutions submitted.
Courtesy: Cooperative News