The “Global Youth Forum - Cooperative Entrepreneurship,” will bring together young entrepreneurs and professionals to improve their knowledge about co-operatives, learn how to start up or develop co-operatives and give them an opportunity to share experiences and ideas. The Forum will offer quality training sessions to equip youth with skills needed to start or improve their cooperative, stimulate and test innovative thinking, and provide tools to explore self-employment and entrepreneurship through the cooperative model. The event will facilitate exchange of knowledge and partnerships amongst youth, youth-led organizations and youth movements to further strengthen youth participation within cooperatives.
A delegation from ICA which included, Marc Noel and Andreea Teodora from the #Coops4Dev Coordination Unit, and Balasubramanian Iyer from the Asia-Pacific Regional Office met with representatives from the Sri Lankan Cooperative movement (National Cooperative Council of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Consumer Cooperative Societies Federation Ltd., CoopYES); Mr. Milinda Rajapaksa, Member Colombo Municipal Council; Mr. S.L. Naseer, Commissioner for Co-operatives, and Mr. J.M.S. Jayasingha, Additional Secretary at the Ministry. During the meeting there was agreement on the dates (July 22 to 26), venue (MAS Fabric Park, Thulhiriya), roles and responsibilities and outline of the program. Mr. Peiris, Chairman of NCCSL at the end of the meeting said, “I am happy that Sri Lanka was chosen as the venue for the Global Youth Forum. Engaging with youth is important for the movement and this will be a good platform to develop such relationships.”
Discussing the upcoming Global Youth Forum with key representatives from ICA and Sri Lanka.
The delegation had a meeting with Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister for Industry & Commerce and Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Person and Cooperative Development and apprised him of the Forum and the discussions held earlier in the morning. The Minister while expressing his support said, “In Sri Lanka, with the creation of a new Ministry, we are giving a lot of emphasis on co-operatives. The Forum will provide the opportunity for youth in Sri Lanka to hear and share their experiences. We will provide all support to ensure a successful event.”
