AAR 2023
ICA Asia and Pacific
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Transcript
2023
Annual Activities Report
Celebrating our Common Agenda
9. Annexures
8. Financial Report
7. Welcoming New Members
6. In Memoriam: Shri. B.S. Vishwanathan
5. Developing Capacities in Cooperatives
4. Amplifying Our Voice
3. Contributing to Tomorrow - Policy and Advocacy
2. Milestones of 2023
Contents
1. Leadership Insights: Message from ICA-AP President and Regional Director
Mr. Balasubramanian Iyer Regional Director
Dr. Chandrapal Singh Yadav President
1. Leadership Insights: Message from ICA-AP President and Regional Director
Dear Members,We are excited to share with you the ICA Asia-Pacific Annual Activities Report for 2023, a year marked by significant achievements, dynamic regional activities, and a strengthened cooperative community across Asia and the Pacific.In 2023, our highlight activity was the 16th Regional Assembly and the 11th Cooperative Forum in Manila. The Assembly, under the theme "Cooperatives: Our Common Agenda," showcased our collective dedication to a cooperative model that prioritizes human values and cooperation for a sustainable future. The fourth Asia-Pacific Cooperative Youth Summit in Sabah, themed "Cooperation for Sustainable Lifestyles," brought youthful energy into crucial sustainability discussions, underlining the role of youth in shaping a cooperative future.
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2. Milestones of 2023
Shaping Tomorrow's Leaders
Watch the Glimpses
Watch the Glimpses
Watch the Glimpses
Assembly Insights: Steering Cooperative Progress
Celebrating a Legacy: 25 Years of ICA-AP Committee on Women
3. Contributing to Tomorrow - Policy and Advocacy
In 2023, the ICA-AP regional office was active in the policy advocacy arena. The focus was on emphasizing the importance of fair and decent work in the emerging gig economy, advocating within the B20 Task Force on Financial Inclusion and Value Chain the importance of cooperatives' people-centred model, and actively participating in consultations hosted by the Policy Forum on Development (PFD), which served as another platform to strengthen the partnership with the European Commission. These engagements underscored the commitment of the ICA-AP regional office to advocate for cooperatives and advance the interests of cooperatives in various policy arenas.
G20 India and Cooperatives’ Participation
Policy Conclave on ‘Gig and Platform Economy’ in India
Policy Forum on Development
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4 iterations on coop education, value measurement, coop research, and systems innovation were held
Annual Activities Report 2022COOP Dialogue 4 and 5
Theme - Cooperatives: partners for accelerated sustainable development
4. Amplifying Our Voice
The ICA-AP Regional Office continued to enhance the visibility of cooperatives and its engagement with members, partners, and cooperators through different avenues like the International Day of Cooperatives, Coop Colloquiums, COOP Dialogues, conferences and webinars around diverse themes, and its participation in activities organised by the cooperative movement.
International Day of Cooperatives
Publications
COOP Colloquiums
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The ICA-AP Trade & Business Committee, in collaboration with the ASEAN Cooperative Organization (ACO) and ANGKASA, organized the Cooperative to Cooperative (C-2-C) Trade & Business Conference from August 22 to 23 in Malaysia
Commemorating International Youth Day on August 16, the ICA-AP Youth Committee organized a webinar on “Empowering Youth Through Green Skills: Pioneering the Way for a Sustainable Future”
Commemorating International Women’s Day (IWD), the ICA-AP Women’s Committee organized a virtual ecture on March 7 on “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality”
4. Amplifying Our Voice
Conferences and Webinars
Consultation and Regional Workshop on New National Cooperation Policy 2023 - Northern & Central Zone
Empowering the ‘Roots of Resilience: Global Platform Cooperativism Consortium (PCC) 2023 conference
Global Cooperative Innovation Summit 4.0
My E-Haat Conclave
4th ASEAN-India Youth Summit
Keraleeyam 2023
4. Amplifying Our Voice
ICA-AP Engagement Across International Forums
ICA-MAFF Capacity Building Project
Pilot ToT on Climate Change and Action
Training Program & Workshop on Consumer Cooperatives
SuPER WE Coffee Project
Empowering Youth in Coops with Financial Literacy Program
5. Developing Capacities in Cooperatives
The ICA-AP was actively engaged in capacity-building initiatives across the Asia-Pacific region, to empower its members and stakeholders. These initiatives encompassed diverse themes and approaches to address the evolving needs and challenges faced by cooperatives in the region.
6. In Memoriam: Shri. B.S. Vishwanathan
This year, we lost a cooperative stalwart, Mr. B.S. Vishwanathan. Born on January 6, 1934, in Tirthahalli, a town in Karnataka, India, he left a lasting mark on the cooperative sector. Mr. Vishwanathan's legacy is distinguished by his exemplary service. He was elected as the Chairperson of the first ICA-AP Regional Assembly held in New Delhi in 1995, a role he fulfilled with excellence. Over 27 years, he represented India in various capacities within the ICA, contributing significantly to its mission. He held varied positions such as President of the National Cooperative Union of India for 14 years and leadership roles in the National Cooperative Agriculture & Rural Development Banks’ Federation Ltd., among many others. His commitment extended beyond borders, as he served as a Board Member of the International Raiffeisen Union for 27 long years. The cooperative community deeply mourns his passing, recognizing his invaluable contributions and unwavering dedication to the cooperative movement.
7. Welcoming New Members
NEFSCUN
We welcomed four new members to our cooperative family: the Nepal Federation of Savings and Credit Cooperative Unions Ltd. (NEFSCUN) from Nepal, ESAF Swasraya Multi-State Agro Co-operative Society Ltd (ESMACO) from India, and One Cooperative Bank (OCB) and ACDI Multipurpose Cooperative (ACDI MPC) from the Philippines.
ESMACO
OCB
ACDI MPC
Expenditure
Income
8. Financial Report
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9. Annexures
ICA-AP Sectoral and Thematic Committees
9. Annexures
ICA-AP Board Members
9. Annexures
The ICA-AP Network – 109 members from 28 countries
The ICA-AP Committee on Women (Women’s Committee) was established in 1998 in Seoul, South Korea, to promote gender inclusion and equality in cooperatives across the Asia-Pacific region. The Committee celebrated its 25th anniversary under a special theme and tagline, “Gender Equality for a Brighter Future.” It collaborated with JCCU to organise a celebratory event in Tokyo, Japan (hybrid) on September 19 which was attended by 169 delegates comprising the Committee members and upcoming women leaders in the cooperative sector from different countries, ICA-AP representatives, ICA members and cooperators from Japan, supporters and well-wishers of the Committee, advocates of gender equality from international organizations such as the UN Women and public officials from the Government of Japan.
and Action in Cooperatives” and our engagements in sustainable coffee chains, the B20 Task Force and an EU proposal for people-centered development mark our strides in education and policy advocacy. Seminars and workshops organized by our various committees, from the Malaysia Business Office's discussions on socio-economic barriers to the Youth Committee's focus on financial literacy, have fostered a deeper understanding and practical skills within our community. The ICA Asia-Pacific Research Committee's 17th Research Conference in Manila further explored cooperatives' role in social responsibility towards the 2030 Agenda. Our partnerships with organizations like the Institute of Rural Management, Anand, ITforChange, and the Platform Cooperatives Consortium have fortified our network, driving us towards our shared goals with renewed vigor. We are immensely grateful for the support from ANGKASA, JCCU, ACFSMC, KRIBHCO, and all our members, whose collaboration and support have been pivotal to our success. We would also like to thank NCUI and cooperatives in India for their active engagement in the G20 working groups and their efforts to get cooperatives mentioned in the policy papers. Looking ahead to 2024, we remain committed to advancing our cooperative principles and shared values. Your continuous support and dedication to the cooperative movement inspire us, and we eagerly anticipate what we will achieve together in the coming year. Thank you for a remarkable 2023. Here's to an even more successful 2024!
The year also saw the launch of the ICA Asia Pacific Cooperative Excellence Awards, celebrating the Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS) Ltd. and Datuk Seri Dr. Abdul Fattah Abdullah for their outstanding contributions. The Dr. Mauritz Bonow Young Researcher Awards to Dr. Jiyun Jeon and Ms. Kristine Atendido, emphasized the importance of academic research in advancing cooperative ideals. The 2023 COOP Pitch winners—Muda Mudi Coop (Indonesia), Likas Vocational College (Malaysia), and Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Philippines)— underscored the vitality of innovation and sustainable solutions within our movement. Our commemoration of global events like International Women’s Day, International Youth Day, and the International Day of Cooperatives reinforced cooperatives' crucial role in promoting gender equality, digital inclusion, and sustainable development. The 25th anniversary of the ICA-AP Committee on Women highlighted the strides made towards gender inclusion and equality. Our membership expanded to 109 members with the addition of the Nepal Federation of Savings and Credit Cooperative Unions Ltd. (NEFSCUN) from Nepal, ESAF Swasraya Multi-State Agro Co-operative Society Ltd (ESMACO) from India, and One Cooperative Bank and ACDI Multipurpose Cooperative from the Philippines enriching our cooperative family across 28 countries. Training initiatives and projects continued to bolster cooperative management and development, from agricultural cooperatives to rural women's capacity building. The Women Committee's Training of Trainers program on “Climate Change
Ms. Rowena emphasized the importance of financial literacy for youth in cooperatives, and discussed budgeting techniques and investment strategies. Mr. Dang highlighted the role of loans and interest in cooperative finance, stressing the significance of maintaining accurate accounting records and financial reporting to ensure transparency and accountability. The ICYC intends to continue empowering young cooperators with financial literacy skills, contributing to the growth and development of the cooperative movement in the region.
Intending to equip young cooperative members from the Asia-Pacific region with essential financial management skills, the ICYC organized a webinar on ‘Financial Literacy for Youth in Cooperatives: Empowering Youth from the Asia-Pacific’ on March 22. With 30 participants from 10 countries in attendance, the event covered topics such as budgeting, investing, and financial reporting. Ms. Caramel Rowena, Strategic Communication officer from MASS-SPECC, Philippines and Mr. Anurag Dang, Secretary of NCUI Youth Committee provided valuable insights during the webinar.
Empowering Youth in Cooperatives with Financial Literacy Program
Regional Workshop for Leaders of Consumer CooperativesThe ICA-AP Consumer Committee organised the Regional Workshop in South Korea in collaboration with iCOOP Korea from October 16 to 20. Themed "Sustainable Co-operative Development and Adaptation of the Cooperative Identities,” it was attended by 18 delegates from 8 countries including Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Vietnam. The workshop was a valuable opportunity to witness the practical implementation of cooperative values and sustainable cooperative movements.
Training Program for Managers of Consumer Coops 2023The ICA-AP Consumer Committee and JCCU held the ICA-AP Training Program for Managers of Consumer Coops 2023 from July 19 to 30 in Japan. Five managers from consumer coops in Nepal, the Philippines, Vietnam, Korea, and Malaysia participated. Through lectures and tours at various locations, including headquarters, stores, factories, and logistic centers of Japanese consumer coops, the training focused on running businesses sustainably in the post-pandemic period.
Training Program and Workshop on Consumer Coops
through agents, enterprises, and cooperatives within three years.Cooperatives were also mentioned in the Energy, Climate Change & Resource Efficiency taskforce paper, which recommends providing assistance and resources to MSMEs, including cooperatives and entrepreneurs, to facilitate their transition towards sustainable practices. It's evident that cooperatives, with their extensive history and widespread global presence across different sectors of the economy, will continue to play a significant role in developing an inclusive and sustainable society.
G20 India and Cooperatives’ Participation
India’s G20 Presidency in 2023 was held under the theme ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ which translates to “One Earth, One Family, and One Future.” It aimed to drive change and transformation at a global level, especially amid various crises like food, energy, and security issues that have been worsened by geopolitical tensions and to find solutions to issues including restoring global growth, reinforcing climate action, and establishing a robust global health infrastructure. Cooperatives in India, with NCUI in the lead, actively engaged in various priority areas across different engagement groups of the G20 presidency – B20, C20, Women 20 (W20), and Youth 20 (Y20). The ICA-AP office particularly contributed to the B20 task force on the Inclusive Global Value Chains (GVCs) for Resilient Global Trade and Investment, and the efforts led to cooperatives getting a mention in the B20 policy outcome. The efforts by NCUI and its members led to cooperatives being mentioned for their contribution in several other outcome documents of the B20 Task Forces. The B20 urged G20 nations to recognize the important ce of cooperatives and deploy policy levers to facilitate the participation of cooperative societies in global trade.The B20 policy paper on financial inclusion for economic empowerment called on G20 governments to create a framework for collaborations between FinTechs and primary cooperatives to deliver financial services in a "phygital" mode, providing digital financial services at the last mile
December 18 - Cooperatives and Systems InnovationCollaborator: Griffith Centre for Systems Innovation (GCSI), Griffith University, Australia
August 18 - Fostering a Culture of Collaborative Youth ResearchCollaborator: India’s Connecting Dreams Foundation and the US-based Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET)
June 21 - Mutual Value Measurement (MVM) FrameworkCollaborator: Australia’s Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM) and Melbourne-based Monash Business School (MBS)
April 21 - Promoting Inclusive and Quality Cooperative Education.Collaborator: Polytechnic University of Philippines (PUP)
Coop Colloquiums
ICA-AP Committee on Cooperative Research (CCR) launched a series of COOP Colloquiums in the year 2022. Continuing their academic dialogue on issues that are relevant to cooperative education and research, the Committee organised four iterations this year.
CD5 launched in December explored the journey of ICA-AP Regional Assemblies (RAs) since inception in 1995. ICA-AP RAs are a platform for cooperators in the Asia-Pacific region to share knowledge, experiences, and a shared vision for a better, more inclusive future. CD5 – ICA-AP Regional Assemblies: A Memoir featured first-hand perspectives of those who have been integral to the RAs’ success - dedicated staff and passionate members. Through their eyes, CD5 showcased the evolution of the assembly and how it serves to catalyze change and amplify the voices of cooperatives. The interesting conversations with Dr. Chandrapal Singh Yadav, ICA-AP President, and Ms. Sylvia Paraguya, CEO, NATCCO, presented their thoughts on the past, present, and future of the assembly.
Publications
ICA-AP published its 2022 Annual Activities Report (AAR) in April which highlighted the varied activities, projects, and events over the year. The 2022 AAR showcased our work with members to address climate change, platforms used to engage in conversation with them, avenues created to broaden reach and influence policy, and new partnerships that were forged to expand the scope of work. Continuing the dialogue around relevant cooperative issues, ICA-AP released two editions of COOP Dialogue (CD), its biannual publication. CD4, focusing on Cooperatives’ Contribution to SDGs: Achievements and Way Forward was released in conjunction with the 101st International Day of Cooperatives. It featured case studies of cooperatives’ contribution to SDGs, reported the progress on the Coopsfor2030 pledges made by cooperatives in the Asia-Pacific region over the past 7 years, carried interviews with experts on the cooperatives and SDGs, and reinforced the fact that cooperatives contribute effectively towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and play a vital role in their nation’s development.
In its efforts to encourage youth to adopt sustainable lifestyles, ICA-AP organized the fourth edition of the Asia Pacific Cooperative Youth Summit (APCYS 4.0) in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, from July 27 to 30. Themed "Cooperation for Sustainable Lifestyles," APCYS 4.0 was a collaborative effort between ICA-AP, its Committee on YouthCooperation (ICYC) and the Malaysian National Cooperative Movement (ANGKASA). The summit attracted over 185 participants from 16 countries, fostering cross-cultural exchange and collaboration. The summit showcased young cooperators’ dedication to sustainability, emphasizing the collective responsibility to #BeatPlasticPollution through reduced plastic usage, recycling, and sustainable practices.
ICA-AP along with other consortium partners and the ILO organised a Training of Trainers (ToT) from November 21 to 28. The ToT aimed at equipping four facilitators with the necessary skills, curriculum, and material for training and empowering coffee farmers to better understand and adopt cooperatives within the Dak Cheung district. The trained facilitators will be able to organise, disseminate key information and support farmers in the coming months to organize into cooperatives. ICA-AP engaged Dr. Sagar Wadkar, a technical expert on cooperatives and agri-extension to conceptualise and plan capacity-building and training activities.
ICA-AP is working in a consortium led by CARE France to implement the SuPER WE Coffee project - Sustainable Production and Ethic Responsible & Women Empowered Coffee value chains in Lao PDR. The project aims to promote a more sustainable and circular economy by focusing on the improvement of coffee production by smallholder farmers. 400 coffee farmers from 15 target villages in the Dakcheung district are direct beneficiaries of the project. Additionally, the project aims to impact the lives of 12,000 people in the district, who rely on coffee production for their livelihoods.
SuPER WE Coffee Project
12 women from 12 different Provincial Cooperative Alliances (PCAs) under VCA attended the training. These women were staff from PCAs whose role is to conduct training at the province level, provide consultancy and advisory services to local cooperatives, and policy-making. The participants found the manual very comprehensive and useful and shared some feedback like including more case studies or country-based examples of different actions taken by cooperatives. Their feedback was useful in further improving the manual.
The ICA-AP Committee on Women is focusing on climate change as a priority area to build the capacity of women cooperators in the Asia and Pacific. In 2022, it partnered with the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO) in the Philippines to develop a customized training manual to be used as an important knowledge tool. This year, the Committee organized a pilot training of trainers in Hanoi, Vietnam from May 17-19 in partnership with VCA and NATCCO to test the draft manual and training methodology.
Pilot Training of Trainers on Climate Change and Action for Women Cooperators
The 16th ICA-AP Regional Assembly was held in Manila, Philippines from November 6 to 10. It was a week-long event hosted by the Philippines Cooperative Affiliates (PCA) under the aegis of the Philippines Cooperative movement after a gap of two decades. The Assembly, themed “Cooperatives: Our Common Agenda,” included events like the Cooperative Forum, Regional Board Meeting, and sessions by sectoral and thematic committees. A special logo, inspired by the Philippines flag, was created, featuring symbols representing the country's provinces and iconic Jeepneys. More than 250 international delegates from 21 countries and around 285 delegates from the Philippines participated.
It reiterated that the EU should invest in local businesses, cooperatives, smallholder producers and family farmers in rural areas to help rural communities become catalysts of an inclusive and equitable rural transformation that, in turn, can support sustainable urbanization. ICA-AP also suggested that the EU should simplify the design and delivery of EU external assistance by lifting administrative and financial barriers for CSOs that cannot carry high risks and costs related to programming. This will allow CSOs and cooperatives to be better represented at the EU partner country level.
Policy Forum on Development
On March 6, DG INTPA and PFD organised a (virtual) consultation on the Asia-Pacific regional programme, which offered a platform for further discussions on the policy priorities pursued by the RMIP and the ways to engage civil society organisations (CSOs), local authorities (LAs), and other social partners in their implementation. ICA-AP Regional Office participated in this online consultation that discussed key priorities in the development of the water–energy nexus in the region and how CSOs could be better involved in the decision and implementation process. ICA-AP highlighted that it has been working closely with various structures under SAARC and ASEAN to give broader recognition to cooperatives in their policies. A dedicated roadmap for the promotion of cooperatives is a key priority area for more inclusive multilateralism. Considering the important role that cooperatives play and the relevance of its views, ICA global and regional offices along with a couple of member organizations were invited for the 10th Anniversary event of PFD, in Brussels from September 27 to 29. The common thread was: “Multistakeholder partnerships for building a better future: The quest for equality and opening up civic space”. ICA-AP opined the EU Delegations should consider cooperatives as partners across all programmes and advocate for dedicated CSO allocations in all geographic programmes, including towards cooperatives.
ICA-MAFF (Japan) Follow-up Program The trainings, funded by MAFF, Government of Japan, have a component of follow-up, through visits and surveys. ICA and IDACA surveyed participants from the Asia and Africa regions, who attended the training courses in 2019, 2020, and 2021. The questionnaire was sent to 96 participants from 16 Asian countries and 11 African countries. In addition, the follow-up visits to two countries, India, and Vietnam, were conducted. Three separate webinars were held on with 45 ex-participants, who answered the survey to know their progress, challenges faced during implementation, and the reasons for their action plans being cancelled.
ICA-MAFF (Japan) Women Training Course As part of this, the training course on Capacity Building of Rural Women on Their Roles for Vitalization of Rural Economy was held in Thailand and Japan from August 22 to September 14. Seven trainees from seven countries India, Kiribati, Malaysia, Nepal, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam participated in the course. This was divided into two parts, Part 1 was conducted with the Cooperative League of Thailand (CLT) in Bangkok from August 22 to 31 and Part 2 was conducted with the Institute for the Development of Agricultural Cooperation in Asia (IDACA-Japan) in Tokyo from September 1 to 14.
ICA-MAFF Capacity Building Project
Cooperatives are essential partners for accelerated sustainable development in the region. Through their participatory and inclusive business models, cooperatives empower individuals and communities, contribute to poverty reduction, promote food security, improve health outcomes, enhance education and skills, and drive renewable energy adoption.
The Regional Office position paper articulated its commitment to promoting the role of cooperatives in achieving accelerated sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region. It highlighted key areas where cooperatives can act as crucial partners for sustainable development, such as Poverty Alleviation and Economic Empowerment, Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture, Social Welfare and Health, Education and Skill Development, and Renewable Energy and Environmental Sustainability.
"Cooperatives are essential partners for accelerated sustainable development and together, we can build a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. "Mr. Balasubramanian Iyer, Regional Director, ICA-AP
"Cooperatives in the Asia-Pacific region play a vital role in fostering sustainable development by providing livelihood opportunities to its members and enhancing their capacity by collaborating with governments and other stakeholders." Dr. Chandrapal Singh Yadav, ICA-AP President
International Day of Cooperatives
The International Day of Cooperatives was celebrated on July 1 under the theme ‘Cooperatives: partners for accelerated sustainable development.’ It was an opportunity for the cooperative fraternity to showcase how the cooperative way of working, inspired by cooperative values and principles, has been advancing the accomplishment of the SDGs. The Regional Office published a dedicated CoopsDay website which featured the messages of the ICA-AP President and Regional Director and the ICA-AP position paper on this year’s theme.
He spoke about the emerging form of platform cooperatives, highlighting some of the use cases of worker-owned platform cooperatives in the world operating efficiently in the services sector, and noted that the NITI Aayog’s report had taken a limited view on the aspect of collectivization of workers within the gig economy. The consultation was attended by senior state government officials in Punjab, NITI Aayog, and other stakeholders from the National Skill Development Council of India, private sector aggregation platforms, and trade union worker federations.
Policy Conclave on ‘Gig and Platform Economy’ in India
On January 25, NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India), a think-tank of the Indian Government, which is leading the discussions on India’s ‘Emerging Gig and Platform Economy, organized a Policy Conclave and Consultation at the Indian School of Business (ISB), Punjab, India. It focused on three thematic sessions (i) Promoting Financial Inclusion for Gig and Platform Workers (ii) Promoting Digital, Financial & Entrepreneurial Skills for Women and Youth in the Platform Economy, and (iii) Designing Social Welfare Initiatives for Gig and Platform Workers. ICA-AP Regional Director Mr. Balasubramanian Iyer participated as one of the speakers for the session on ‘Designing Social Welfare Initiatives for Gig and Platform Workers.’ He emphasized the need for fair and decent work within the emerging and heterogeneous gig ecosystem, which has a massive potential to contribute to employment and the country’s GDP. He acknowledged the benefits and flexibility that a freelancer or worker gets within the changing world of work and highlighted the need to address their issues of decent work, fair wages, provisioning social security, etc., through both policy interventions, and more importantly, through solutions such as collectivization.