By Rebecca Harvey
The Asia-Pacific region of the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA-AP) is hosting the 13th ICA-AP Cooperative Research Conference in November in Tehran, Iran. The event will look at how the movement can contribute to more sustainable and resilient societies
Organised by the ICA-AP Committee on Co-operative Research, in conjunction with ICA-AP Regional Assembly and Cooperative Forum, the conference theme is Co-operatives contribute to more sustainable and resilient societies. ICA-AP is now calling for papers around the subject.
“Co-operatives have sustainability in their DNA, with concern for the community as the seventh of their guiding principles,” says ICA-AP.
“Among the examples, agricultural co-operatives work to maintain the longevity of the land where they grow crops through sustainable farming practices. Consumer co-operatives support sustainable sourcing for their products and educate consumers about responsible consumption. Housing co-operatives help ensure safe dwellings.”
The 13th ICA-AP Regional Assembly theme is aligned with that of the 2018 High-level Political Forum (HLPF) for Sustainable Development: “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies”.
During the HLPF in July 2018, UN Member States will review progress towards achieving the following Sustainable Development Goals: 6 (clean water and sanitation), 7 (clean and affordable energy), 11 (sustainable cities and communities), 12 (responsible consumption and production) and 15 (life on land).
In this context, the conference will be addressing a range of topics including – Co-operatives promote sustainable consumption and production of goods and services, Adaptation and mitigation strategies of co-operatives to address climate change and Financial and sustainability performance of co-operatives.
There will also be two best-paper awards (US$500 and US$300) presented to young researchers (not over 35 years of age), presenting their papers in the conference.
For further information on the submission process, or to submit abstracts (by 1 August 2018), email Mr Mohit Dave, Secretary, ICA-AP Committee on Co-operative Research, at research@icaap.coop.