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GLOBAL OUTLOOK
YOUTH urged to adopt CO-OPERATIVE
model for ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
By Linda Karimi Institution in Canada- Desjardins and was launched in March
2020 with a mid-term evaluation of the project to take place at
More than 200 young people from 107 countries the ICA Congress in Seoul in December 2020.
assembled in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia for the
first-ever, Global Youth Forum (GYF) which took Throughout the five day workshop, GYF consisted of sessions
place on 3rd-7th February 2020. for interactive training and experience exchange about co-
operatives. The training sessions were structured around
The conference was well attended by 7 Kenyans, including ten topics: IT and social media; social issues; environmental
Hilda Ojall, the President of the Africa Youth Network, which issues; Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); business
is anchored in the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) models; methodologies (training of trainers, storytelling); law
Structures. and legislation; finance; leadership, management and HR; and
networking.
The conference was organized within the framework of the
partnership between ICA and the European Union on Co- The trainers were of diverse backgrounds, coming from the
operatives for Development (coops4dev) and hosted by co-operative movement, academia, or consultancy. Due to the
Malaysia’s national co-operative body, Angkasa. structure of the workshop, there was ample time to interact
with the trainers after the sessions.
Thethemeoftheconferencewas‘co-operativeentrepreneurship’,
where young people were taught co-operative business models Certainly, trainers also sat in some trainings as trainees, which
that would enable them become employers. enabled participants to network and interact more. The GYF
was a platform that encouraged peer-to-peer and social
The event aimed at addressing the needs of young learning, which is embedded in the co-operative values.
entrepreneurs and making the co-operative model relevant to
challenges faced in a dynamic work environment. Throughout the conference, the co-operative model was
preferred because it cultivates a sense of togetherness
One of the key outcomes was the launch of an entrepreneurship in the community. Further, it also encourages economic
fund to assist the youth start co-operatives. Eight successful empowerment among members leading to inclusive wealth.
youth projects will be selected and each will receive a Economic initiatives are crucial in the wake of escalating food
maximum of €10,000. pricing caused by inflation and tough economic times. Youths
were encouraged to be involved in co-operatives because
The program is funded by the International Summit of Co- they are known to be resilient in times of crisis. Further, co-
operatives organised by The National Cooperative Financial
Participants take a group photo during the conference.
42 | SACCO Star Magazine
