Co-operators in the ICA's Asia-Pacific region discussed how co-operatives can build a secured society at the Regional Assembly.
The tenth Assembly, which meets every two years, saw 78 member organisations come together in Kobe, Japan between 25-30 November to also mark the region's IYC achievements.
Li Chunsheng, President of ICA-Asia and Pacific said: “We know that co-operatives in the region have delivered a wide scope of services vital for not only their members’ livelihoods, but also for their societies, often as a partner for government policy programs."
Mr Li Chunsheng said co-operatives contribute to many areas such as food, water, shelter, health, job, finance, insurance and the environment. He added: "Especially in the time of crisis and disasters, their genuine role appears as apparent.”
He said the International Year of Co-operatives was a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to take a massive step forward and lead the growth of our movements in the region".
Co-operators also attended the seventh Asia-Pacific Coop Forum with the theme ‘Role of Cooperatives in the Disaster Times'. Akira Banzai, Chairperson of Japan Joint Committee of Cooperatives (JJC), said: “Kobe has been known well as a vibrant city that recovered successfully from the calamity hit by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995. You will see that the city is completely rebuilt now by the great efforts and endeavors contributed together with co-operatives."
During the event Dr Gopal N Saxena, Director of IFFCO, was elected unopposed as chairman of the ICA Asia Pacific Research Committee for a period of four years. He said that research helps to solve human problems. Meanwhile, another IFFCO Director, K SM Gowda, was elected as chairman of the Agriculture Committee of ICA Asia Pacific. Mr Gowda said that agricultural co-ops have the potential to end global hunger and that would be the committee’s main focus.
