Page 45 - Ramco JO SACCOStar _Vol 50.indd

GLOBAL OUTLOOK
Mr. Ariel Guarco, President, The International Co-operative Alliance makes his remarks during the Global Youth Forum held in Kuching, Malaysia.
operatives have the potential to create employment for operative model of enterprise while providing exposure to the
millions of unemployed youth.
Speaking at the youth forum, the International Co-operative
Alliance President Ariel Guarco talked about the role of young
people in the movement's present, as well as its future. “Young
people are part of social movements that demand human rights,
caring for the planet, the end of violence, the right to education a)
and decent work. Co-operatives can be a powerful agent of
innovation in terms of sustainable production and consumption,
of new forms of work organisation, of women's participation,
of new forms of access to financial services, of new ways of
producing and sharing renewable and clean energy,” he said.
Also present in the meeting was the Chief Minister Datuk
Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg who said that co-operatives
provide much-needed job opportunities.
He stressed that the importance of co-operatives cannot be
understated as their model of enterprises contributes to youth
employment by way of providing employment and facilitating
job creation via self-employment.
“I therefore strongly believe co-operative development covers
a multitude of aspects of human and community development.
The importance of co-operatives in advancing the interest of our
nation cannot be underrated nor brushed aside,” said Abang
Johari.
On the theme ‘Co-operative Entrepreneurship’ for the forum, he
noted that it was in line with the United Nations Development
Programme Sustainable Development Goal 2030 Agenda –
specifically on Goal No. 8 regarding ‘Decent Work and Economic
Growth’ as co-operatives are the main source of income for
more than 279 million people worldwide.
He lauded the Ministry of Education and the National Co-
operative Organisation of Malaysia (Angkasa) for promoting
the co-operative movement in schools, leading to the
establishment of about 2,433 school co-operatives.
“The school co-operatives combining work experiences and
school-based education introduce young people to the co-
skills needed in running a business.”
As the meeting concluded, five key policy issues were
highlighted as resolutions which would act as a trigger for the
participants to drive the advocacy agenda forward. They are:
Sustainable economies: Creation of a democratic process
to define and select social, environmental and economic
accountability indicators that go beyond mere growth.
Promotion of economic models that aim to end precarity
and enable fair remuneration and decent work which
conform with democratic processes.
b) Collective action: Creation of a legal framework to include
co-operatives in political spaces. Bring more diversity
and transparency to the empowerment of communities.
Include co-operatives in leadership, redefining it as servant
leadership and reporting back with full transparency so
that citizens can make informed decisions and take action.
c) Digitalization: Promote cooperation among co-operatives
by linking existing co-operatives to platform co-
operatives, creating an environment for interoperability.
Use technology as an inclusive tool that compliments
participation in democratic decision making rather than
jeopardizing it.
d) Education: Upgrade the education model towards a more
inclusive, democratic and interactive model. Addition of
life skill development and a lifelong learning framework.
Inclusion of the co-operative model in all educational
institution curriculums at all levels.
e) Just Societies: Link and connect the co-operative movement
with social and environmental movements. Recognition of
intergenerational inclusiveness, solidarity, respect and co-
creation as sources for societal improvement. Creation of
a co-operative fund for various social, environmental and
sustainability concerns such as education.
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