The ICA-AP Committee on Cooperative Research (CCR), in collaboration with the Indonesian Cooperative University (IKOPIN University), organised the 16th ICA Asia-Pacific Research Conference in Bandung, Indonesia from 15-17 December. It brought together academics and researchers on cooperatives in the Asia-Pacific region in a hybrid format to discuss “Rebuilding a Global Society Through Cooperative Identity.”
The conference comes as an opportunity for the cooperative movement to reflect on its role in the crisis and in rebuilding a resilient global society. The presenters deliberated on the unprecedented global crisis and the opportunity for the cooperative movement. As part of the conference, a dedicated workshop was organized for young scholars and early career researchers to cultivate and enhance interdisciplinary collaboration. It was an opportunity for these scholars to present their research in a friendly environment and receive constructive feedback and support from senior academic researchers in the field.
The ICA-AP CCR bestowed two meritorious papers with Dr. Mauritz Bonow Young Researcher Award (US$ 500 and US$ 300) to researchers less than 35 years of age, presenting their papers at the conference. The Dr. Mauritz Bonow Young Researcher Award is a joint initiative of the ICA-AP and the ICA Domus Trust. The ICA Domus Trust was set up in recognition of the valuable contributions made by Dr. Mauritz Bonow. The Award, instituted in 2016, recognizes young researchers and attract talent to look into issues relating to cooperatives.
A sub-committee consisting of Dr. Robby Tulus, Dr. Sidsel Grimstad and Ms. Ann Apps was set up to review and adjudicate the best research papers.
The first prize of US$ 500 went to Ms. Yuki Sano from the Institute for Future Initiatives, University of Tokyo, Japan. Her research paper was titled, ‘The Transition of Producer Cooperatives – a Comparative Case Study of the Dutch and Japanese Horticulture’.
The second prize of US$ 300 went to Ms. Ashni G., and independent researcher from Mangalore, India whose paper was on ‘Cooperatives for Teachers - A Community Empowerment Vision’.
The organisers are hoping to publish peer-reviewed research papers with reputed journals and book publishers.
