Preliminary 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.

November 30th

12:00 – Lunch time



Speakers

Lunch speaker

16:00 – Welcome to the ICA 33rd World Congress Cocktail



Masters of Ceremonies

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

Speakers

Seoul Mayor (to be confirmed)

19:00 – 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. Johan and in Inuit friend will speak from the bottom of their hearts.

December 1st

09:00 – OPENING SPEECHES BY DIGNITARIES



Masters of Ceremonies

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

Zuraidah Hoffman World Cooperative Congress communications team,

Speakers

Korean dignitaries First Name, Last Name

Korean dignitaries First Name, Last Name,

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



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



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

First Name, Last Name, Title, Organisation, Country

11:30 – 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

Panelists

12:30 – LUNCH AT THE EXHIBITORS’ FAIR



14:00 – PARALLEL 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 Dot.Coop, retired CEO of Midcounties Cooperative, ICA Board Director , UK

Panelists

  • First Name, Last Name, Title, Organisation, Country

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

1.3.—THROUGH EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES



Facilitator

Onofre SOUZA, President of Organização das Cooperativas Brasileiras de Mato Grosso (OCB/MT), ICA Board Member, Brazil

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, International Relations Director, Legacoop, Italy

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

KOH Youngkon, President, Korea Institute for Cooperative Development (KICD), Republic of Korea

COFFEE BREAK AT THE EXHIBITORS’ FAIR



16:00 – PLENARY—WHAT EMERGES FROM PARALLEL SESSIONS? AN INTERVIEW WITH THE RAPPORTEURS.



Facilitator

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

Panelists

  • S 1.1, Bernadette TURNER, Midcounties Cooperative, UK
  • Elizabeth Salazar S 1.2, Elizabeth SALAZAR, International Development Manager and Gender Advisor, NCBA-CLUSA, United States
  • S 1.3, João MARTINS, OCB, Brazil
  • S 1.4, Santosh P. KUMAR, ICA Director of Legislation, Belgium
  • S 1.5, KIM Hyunwoo, Senior Manager, National Agriculture Cooperative Federation (NACF), Republic of Korea

16:45 – INSTRUCTIONS FOR DAY 2



Masters of Ceremonies

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

Zuraidah Hoffman World Cooperative Congress communications team

17:00 – END OF DAY



19:00 – GALA



December 2nd

09:00 – WELCOME WORDS



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



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

09:40 – ROUND TABLE—STRENGTHENING OUR COOPERATIVE IDENTITY—THE BEST OF IT



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

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



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

2.2 BY SUPPORTING AN ETHICAL VALUE CHAIN MANAGEMENT



Facilitator

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

00:40 – LUNCH AT THE EXHIBITORS’ FAIR



14:10 – PLENARY – WHAT EMERGES FROM PARALLEL SESSIONS 2? AN INTERVIEW WITH THE RAPPORTEURS



Facilitator

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

Panelists

  • S 2.1, Balu IYER, Regional Director Asia and Pacific International, Co-operative Alliance

14:40 – 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?

Speakers

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

16:10 – COFFEE BREAK AT THE EXHIBITORS’ FAIR



PARALLEL SESSIONS: COMMITTING TO OUR COOPERATIVE IDENTITY FOR…



3.1 FOR THE SURVIVAL OF THE PLANET



Facilitator

Graciela FERNANDEZ, President, Cooperatives of the Americas, ICA Board Director, Uruguay

END OF DAY 2



December 3rd

09:00 – WELCOME WORDS



Masters of Ceremonies

Gwangseog Hong

Zuraidah Hoffman

09:10 – PLENARY – WHAT EMERGES FROM PARALLEL SESSIONS 3? AN INTERVIEW WITH THE RAPPORTEURS



Facilitator

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

Panelists

  • S 3.1, Danilo SALERNO, Regional Director, Cooperatives of the Americas, Costa Rica



09:40 – 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?

Speakers

Olivier De Schutter United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights

10:30 – ROUND TABLE—LIVING OUR IDENTITY FOR THE BEST OF SDGs



Facilitator

Karina Lehoux

11:10 – COFFEE BREAK AT THE EXHIBITORS’ FAIR



11:10 – PARALLEL SESSIONS: LIVING OUR COOPERATIVE IDENTITY WITH…



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 Global Social Economy Forum, Republic of Korea

16:00 – END OF THE 2021 WORLD COOPERATIVE CONGRESS