Cooperators from across the globe met in Seoul, the Republic of Korea for the 33rd International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) World Cooperative Congress from 1 to 3 December 2021. It was a hybrid event with participants attending in-person and online.
The theme for the Congress 2021 was, “Deepening our Cooperative Identity” to strengthen the cooperative movement’s role in addressing global challenges and explore avenues to improve lives at the local and global levels. Within this, four themes explored how cooperatives examine, strengthen, commit to, and live the cooperative identity.
The Opening Ceremony on December 1 was a gala affair. ICA Director-General, Mr. Bruno Roelants introduced the Congress theme and sub-themes, calling on in-person and online delegates to contribute to the discussion around deepening the cooperative identity.
ICA President, Mr. Ariel Guarco said, “it is a real honour to open this Congress in your presence. We are profoundly grateful to our members in Korea for their hospitality. At this World Cooperative Congress we will seek to share learning and build new proposals to deepen our Cooperative Identity in a global scenario still critical and uncertain in health, economic, social and environmental terms.”
Mr. Sung-hee Lee, Chairman of the National Agriculture Cooperative Federation, welcomed the delegates, and said, “despite challenging circumstances, we have managed to come together. The Congress serves as a compass to provide direction to cooperatives across the world. We hope we can devise new ways to strengthen the global cooperative movement.”
President of the Republic of Korea, Mr. Moon Jae-in, who delivered the keynote address said, “sustainable development is in the hands of cooperatives. Solidarity and cooperation should be spread across the world. I express support to cooperatives which creates a better world for all.”
The Congress also heard from the Minister of Economy, Hong Nam-ki, who highlighted the important role of the social economy in Korea.
Over the three days, Congress delegates explored cooperatives’ role in tackling some of the most pressing global challenges in order to build a more secure future. Using the current COVID-19 and climate crises as a framework, discussions were aimed to deepen the cooperative identity by examining its values, strengthening its actions, committing to its principles and living its achievements.
For more information on various sessions, visit https://icaworldcoopcongress.coop/stories/.
Since a case of COVID-19 was detected, the activities of the last day were halted. The ICA Congress team is preparing an online closing of the Congress that will include the outcomes of the discussions, the words of Spanish Labour minister Yolanda Diaz and a message from ICA President, Ariel Guarco. The date for this will be communicated soon.
Cooperators are encouraged to visit the Congress online platform, which will be available until 18 February, to review sessions and to continue thinking of ideas and steps to take to deepen our cooperative identity.
