4TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CO-OPERATIVES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 2024
The Fourth International Conference on Cooperatives for Sustainable Development brings together scholars and practitioners from different parts of the world to discuss the nexus between cooperative societies and sustainable development. While sustainable development is a concept that seeks to ensure development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations, cooperatives are socio-economic enterprises with significant impact to socio-economic and cultural development of members and surrounding communities. At their initial inception, cooperatives were member based enterprises. Their focus was greatly into the socio-economic development of their members. With time, and especially post 1995 adoption of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) Statement on Cooperative Identity, cooperatives step by step reforms have been witnessed. The organisations have and are still moving from being member based to take care of community concerns. Eventhough discussions over cooperative enterprises contribution to global goals are longstanding, formal recognition of the contribution began in the early 1990s with the United Nations (UN) resolutions. In 1993, 1995 and 1997 the UN adopted resolutions on “the role of cooperatives in the light of new economic and social trends” which encouraged governments to consider fully the potential of the enterprises in bringing solutions to economic, social, and environmental problems. Several other developments followed later. For instance, in 2002, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) though Recommendation on Promotion of Cooperatives recognised the role that various cooperatives can play in promoting fullest participation in the economic and social development of all people. Another example of the later developments was another series of UN resolutions on “Cooperatives in social development” from 2000 to date. From 2000 to 2011, the UN passed several resolutions which tied up the cooperative enterprise to inclusive socio-economic development. Cooperatives were underlined as enterpises that ensure full participation by all people including women, youth, older persons, persons with disabilities and indigenous peoples.
The recognition continued in the resolutions with the UN delineating specific roles to cooperatives from 2013 to 2023. A significant development took place in 2014 with the ILO concluding that cooperatives were potential to implementation of twelve (12) SDGs namely end poverty; empower girls and women and achieve gender equality; provide quality education and lifelong learning; ensure healthy lives; ensure food security and good nutrition; achieve universal access to water and sanitation; secure sustainable energy; create jobs, sustainable livelihoods and equitable growth; manage natural resource assets sustainably; ensure good governance and effective institutions; ensure stable and peaceful societies; and create a global enabling environment and catalyse long-term finance. Today, literature suggests that cooperatives can contribute to the realisation of all the 17 SDGs. The UN Agenda 2030 on Sustainable Development embodies what are referred to as global goals for sustainable development. It acknowledges the diversity of private sector and particularly cooperatives and call upon them to apply their creativity and innovation to solving sustainable development challenges and the overall implementation of the Agenda. From 2017 to 2023 the UN, through resolutions on “Cooperatives in social development” expanded cooperatives roles to encompass peacebuilding, climate change adaptation and mitigation, eradication of poverty and hunger, improving food security and nutrition particularly in rural areas, addressing pandemics, geopolitical tensions and conflicts, and.
The 4th International Conference on Cooperative and Sustainable Development is a platform for discussions on the connection between cooperatives and sustainable development and SDGs in particular. It provides an avenue for participants to critically look unto the existing practices and recommend for new ways of cooperation with cooperative enterprises significantly contributing to sustainable development at enterprise, national, regional and global levels. The Conference is jointly organised by MoCU and CUK. It is scheduled to take place for three consecutive days in Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
This three-day International Conference brings cooperative and other sustainable development actors, researchers, scholars, practitioners, policymakers, support organisations, representatives of NGOs or government organisations working with the organisations and all other stakeholders to deliberate on how best can cooperatives intervene and address global goals under Agenda 2030 on SDGs. The Conference is specifically held to:
The Moshi Co-operative University (MoCU) is one of the public higher learning institutions in Tanzania. It is among the few specialized Universities in Africa offering academic and professional training in co-operative and business studies. The University visions at becoming an eminent academic institution committed to supporting co-operative and business development. It works to promote sustainable co-operative and business development through quality training, research and advisory services.
The Co-operative University of Kenya (CUK) is a leading center for quality co-operative education, training, research, and consultancy in Kenya. CUK is a public institution that provides education and training with an emphasis on Cooperative development. It provides consultancy and research services to the Cooperative sector and related economies. The University was chartered on October 7, 2016 as The Co-operative University of Kenya under The Universities Act No. 42 of 2012. The University Charter granted on October 7, 2016 provides for the philosophy, objects and functions of the University. The University has three schools, with the flagship being the school of Cooperatives and Community Development (SCCD). The other schools include School of Business and Economics (SBE) and School of Computing and Mathematics (SCM). The University also offers Open, Distance and electronic learning. The programmes offered are differentiated to meet the diverse needs of the evolving industry.
Sub-theme 1: Co-operative Governance and Sustainable Development
Sub-theme 2: The role of co-operatives in environment and natural resources management
Sub-theme 3: Co-operatives for inclusive development
Sub-theme 4: ICT for Co-operative Development and Management
Sub-theme 5: Co-operative for sustainable livelihoods
Sub-theme 6: Role of co-operatives in social and solidarity economy
Abstracts and research papers, based on primary, secondary and empirical data, are invited from cooperative and other SSE organisation members, leaders, researchers, scholars, practitioners, policymaker, support organisations, representatives of NGOs or government organisations working with the organisations and all other stakeholders. The papers should align with the Conference main theme and sub-themes listed above.
Selected research papers will be published in a reputable journal after the peer review process.
| Description | Date |
|---|---|
| Last Date for Submission of an Abstract | Friday, 15th March 2024 |
| Communication on Abstracts Acceptance/Rejection | Friday, 29th March 2024 |
| Last Date for Submission of Full Paper(s) | Sunday, 30th June 2024 |
| Conference Dates | Wednesday, 31st July 2024 to Friday 2nd August 2024 |
Membership of the Conference Organizing Committee (CoC)
- Prof. Mangasini A. Katundu, MoCU
- Prof. Ken Waweru, CUK
- Prof. Neema P. Kumburu, MoCU
- Dr. Mathias S. Nkuhi, MoCU
- Dr. Michael Ngala, CUK
- Dr. Bikolimana G. Muhihi, MoCU
- Dr. Godfrey J. Kweka, MoCU
- Dr. Richard Msuya, MoCU
- Dr. Alphonce P. Mbuya, MoCU
- Dr. Enitha M. Msamba, MoCU
- Ms. Aneth Mtebene, MoCU
- Mr. Deusdedith Youze, MoCU
| Name | Contact Number |
|---|---|
| Dr. Bikolimana Muhihi | +255 713755415 |
| Ms. Aneth Mtebene | +255 785938288 |
| Dr. Mike Ngala | +254 721670417 |
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Physical paper presenters / face-to-face | 250,000.00 |
| Online paper presenters | 150,000.00 |
All payments shall be made to MoCU CRDB Bank account number 0150593367600 bearing the name Moshi Cooperative University, Swift Code: CORUTZT10TD. Any specific queries can be made to the contacts listed in this call.
Participants will be required to take care of their travel and accommodation expenses. The organising committee will, however, be of service to participants who will seek assistance on arrangements for stay subject to them paying on arrival. Hospitality to participants will be expected from the organisers during the conference.
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