In a move to foster youth engagement in cooperative research, the National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI) has announced its inaugural Youth Cooperative Research Conference. Scheduled for the last week of August 2024 in Delhi, this event aims to bring together young researchers to present their insights on the pivotal role of cooperatives in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The conference will feature 20 selected researchers, all under the age of 40, chosen based on their abstract and final paper submissions. The NCUI is calling for abstracts from young scholars across educational, cooperative, and other organizations. The deadline for abstract submission is June 25, 2024, with final papers due by July 31, 2024. Selected participants will be notified by July 1, 2024, and will receive financial support for travel, boarding, and lodging.
The central theme of the conference is “Cooperatives: Key for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals.” This theme aligns with the recent United Nations General Assembly resolution declaring 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives. The resolution emphasizes the critical role cooperatives play in sustainable development, including areas such as decent employment, poverty eradication, education, social protection, financial inclusion, and affordable housing.
The UN resolution encourages member states to leverage 2025 to enhance awareness of cooperatives’ contributions and to strengthen legislative support for their growth. Cooperatives are celebrated for their ability to promote democracy, enhance income, foster social inclusion, care for the environment, and make significant economic contributions.
In India, cooperatives have been instrumental in driving progress towards the UN’s SDGs. Government initiatives to bolster the cooperative movement have further empowered these entities, making them key players in the country’s socio-economic development.
The conference will cover a broad range of topics, including: The enhanced role of cooperatives in achieving SDGs in light of recent government initiatives., partnerships between cooperatives, government bodies, private organizations, and NGOs, Policy and legal frameworks, and the creation of an enabling environment for cooperatives.
Emerging areas such as health care, renewable energy, tourism, education, and technology. Strategies for raising awareness and building the cooperative brand, the role of cooperatives in making India a $5 trillion economy, financial inclusion, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
Gender equality and youth participation in cooperatives would also be taken up.