GIVE project: \u00a0\u2019Gender Inclusive Vaccine Distribution and Delivery Systems) for Newcastle Diseases and Peste des Petits Ruminants among Small Scale Farmers in Kenya)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

The\u00a0GIVE<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0(\u2019Gender Inclusive Vaccine Distribution and Delivery Systems) for Newcastle Diseases and Peste des Petits Ruminants among Small Scale Farmers in Kenya is a\u00a0three year (April 2019 \u2013 April 2022)<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0project supported by IDRC, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Global Affairs Canada. The overall\u00a0project goal<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0is poverty alleviation through gender inclusive vaccines and entrepreneurship and marketing. The\u00a0objective<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0is to increase women\u2019s participation in poultry and small ruminant distribution chain in Kenya, and transform gender, social and cultural norms and practices to reduce barriers to women participation. The project is being implemented in collaboration with University of Nairobi and Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Research organization KALRO in Makueni County, Kenya. The project is supporting three(3) Master of Arts field research scholarships for Kenyans students during the 2020\/2021 academic year for a duration of\u00a0 three years and the scholarships will cover the student\u2019s fieldwork component.<\/p>

CUK team<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Prof. I.\u00a0 Nyamongo(PI), Prof. K. Waweru, Dr. L. Kiganane, Dr. O. Miroro<\/p>

Project value<\/strong>\u00a0is Kshs 40,238,011<\/p>

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>

CUK annual conferences<\/strong><\/p>

It is commonly accepted that participating in a conference is a great way to be exposed to the latest studies and ideas from the various fields. Conferences are also a way of getting face-to-face or online interactions with leaders\/practitioners in specific fields, and a way to gain valuable advice and mentoring for young academicians. Conferences are an invaluable resource to academics beyond just the conference presentations themselves.<\/p>

The University, in the 2018-2023 strategic plan envisioned to have annual international conferences.\u00a0\u00a0In March 2018<\/em>, The CUK held the\u00a0second annual<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0conference, which was the first within the\u00a0strategic plan period\u00a0<\/em>under the theme\u00a0Innovations for sustainable co-operative development<\/em><\/strong>.<\/em>\u00a0The conference was an outstanding success with prominent expert speakers and engaging debates on sustainable co-operative development. It brought together senior government officials from National and County governments, researchers from local and regional universities and centers, policy makers, business enterprises, practitioners, the cooperative movement from Kenya and beyond and students from various Universities.<\/p>

The Conference provided a forum for knowledge\/experience sharing in the following subthemes:<\/p>

Subtheme (1)<\/strong>\u00a0Innovative Technologies for Co-operative Development,\u00a0Subtheme (2)<\/strong>\u00a0Environmental Sustainability,\u00a0Subtheme (3<\/strong>) Sustainable Social Development and\u00a0Subtheme (4<\/strong>) Sustainable Economic Development.<\/p>

The conference had a record participation of over 300 participants, with representation from over 10 counties.<\/p>

Official opening of the conference<\/strong><\/p>

The 2^{nd<\/sup>\u00a0conference was officially opened by Mr. Ali Noor Ismail the Principal Secretary(PS), State Department of Co-operative Development, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Co-operatives. The PS observed that the conference was in line with the country\u2019s development plans to re-engineer the Co-operative sector to make it profitable and sustainable. Therefore, the University must work in partnership with the government in the effort to alleviate poverty, retain our social service values and train a cadre of competent, dedicated and professional graduates to fit in various public and private sectors, especially the Cooperative Sector. He challenged researchers to focus on the government\u2019s \u201cBig-Four Agenda\u201d, namely, food security, affordable housing, manufacturing, and universal healthcare, which are earmarked as a basis for accelerated social and economic transformation, increased job creation and improved quality of life for all Kenyans.<\/p>}

Conference outcome<\/strong><\/p>

At the end of the two-day conference the following was noted:<\/p>

Participants, particularly from the County Governments, noted that the role of cooperatives is a devolved function of government. They requested the University to collaborate with the County Governments in order to support the functions of the Cooperatives at that County level.<\/li>
The Department of Cooperatives requested the Cooperative University of Kenya to prepare a white paper on the role of Co-operatives in driving the Government\u2019s Big Four (Manufacturing, Housing, Universal Healthcare, and Food Security) development Agenda.<\/li><\/ul>
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>
3^{RD<\/sup>\u00a0CUK ANNUAL CONFERENCE<\/strong><\/p>}
The third CUK international conference was held in March 2019 under the theme\u00a0positioning co-operatives at the center of community development<\/em><\/strong>. This conference build on the 2018 conference which focused on Innovations for sustainable co-operative development. Conference Highlights included;<\/p>
Record participation, over 300 delegates, including representation from overseas (USA, Germany, Netherlands, Canada and others)<\/li>
Over 40 papers, including international research results, presented by researchers<\/li>
International Young scholars engaged with experts<\/li>
Launch of CLEAR- 5 year project by USAID \u2013 Global communities by H.E Kivutha Kibwana,\u00a0 Governor of Makueni County.<\/li>
\u201cFireside\u201d online conferencing with USA experts on Big data, Innovations<\/li>
43% women representation in the Conference participation<\/li><\/ul>
The conference was officially opened by Mr. Ali Noor, the Principal Secretary (PS), State Department of Cooperative Development, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary (CS) Hon.Peter Munya who noted that the conference theme was in line with the government agenda to revive cooperatives and improve the livelihoods of members and communities at large and that Cooperatives had an opportunity and a great role in the realization of the government Big 4 Agenda, namely, food security, affordable housing, manufacturing, and universal healthcare, which are earmarked as a basis for the country\u2019s accelerated social and economic transformation, increased job creation and improved quality of life for all.<\/p>
The conference had three sub-themes (Box 1), namely, (1) Cooperatives, Sustainable Development and Global Perspectives, (2) The Role of Cooperatives in the \u201cBig Four\u201d Agenda, and (3) Re-imagining Cooperatives in the Era of Big Data. Drawing from the sub-themes, the 2019 Conference directly or indirectly addressed five of the 17 SDGs:\u00a0SDG 2- zero hunger; SDG 3- good health and well-being; SDG 5- gender equality; SDG 7- affordable and clean energy; and SDG 8- decent work and economic growth<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>
The key note speakers were Dr. Augustine Rutamu, Vice Chancellor, University of Lay Adventists of Kigali (UNILAK), Rwanda and Mr. Vincent Marangu representing Dr. Gideon Muriuki, CEO, Cooperative Bank of Kenya. Dr. Augustine Rutamu\u2019s key address was titled \u201cCooperatives, sustainable development and global perspective<\/em><\/strong>\u201d, while Dr. Gideon Muriuki presented his key note paper titled \u201cDigital Disruption of the Banking of the 12 sub-sectors of cooperatives\u201d.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>
Conference outcomes<\/em><\/strong><\/p>
Participants, particularly from the Development partners, national government and movement, noted that there were many cases of mismanagement in the cooperatives. They requested the State<\/li><\/ul>
Department of Cooperatives, County Governments and the Cooperative University of Kenya to collaborate with the EACC in order to support the fight against corruption and unethical practice in the cooperatives.<\/p>
The Equity Bank requested the Cooperative University of Kenya to prepare a paper on the role of Co-operatives in driving the economy of Kenya through innovations and entrepreneurship with inclusion of youths and women (Manufacturing, Housing, Universal Healthcare, and Food Security) development Agenda.<\/li>
The Launch of five (5) year program dubbed CLEAR (2018 \u2013 2023) supported by the USAID through Global Communities. Global Communities is collaborating with CUK and 25 County Governments.<\/li><\/ul>
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>
4^{th<\/sup>\u00a0CUK annual conference<\/strong><\/p>}
The 4^{th<\/sup>\u00a0CUK Annual conference held on 27^{th<\/sup>\u00a0\u2013 28^{th<\/sup>\u00a0October, 202 was timely. It came at a time when the country and the co-operative sector was grappling with COVID 19 pandemic. The conference theme \u201cCo-operatives in a Changing ecosystem<\/em><\/strong>\u201d was designed to provide an opportunity to the participants to reflect on what has been happening, to share experiences, perspectives and responses to those challenges and at the same time to give thought to setting the directions for the future of co-operatives in changing times. The conference was majorly virtual with few participants attending physically at the main campus, Karen, Nairobi, Kenya.<\/p>}}}
The 2020 conference saw a participation of high-level international development participants such as Dr. Cilla Ross, Principal Cooperative College, UK as keynote speaker. Again, there was participation from national and county government officials, researchers from local, regional and international Universities and centers, policy makers, business enterprises, practitioners, development partners, the cooperative movement from Kenya and the region, and students from various Universities.<\/p>
The conference was officially opened by The CUK Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kamau Ngamau who was represented by the Deputy Vice chancellor, academic affairs Prof. Emily Akuno. The VC noted the conference theme \u201cCo-operative in a changing ecosystem\u2019 was in line with the current changes that were necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, all sectors of the economy had to adjust to the new normal. The education sector was no exception to the changes as a result of COVID 19 and had to be innovative. He cautioned that the negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the Cooperative Sector was real and that the pandemic required a concerted effort from all to bring it under control.<\/p>
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>
Conference sponsorship<\/strong><\/p>
The 4^{th<\/sup>\u00a0CUK annual conference attracted several sponsors such as the Danish Embassy, National Research Fund, DGRV, Kwetu Sacco, Shirika Sacco, Young Scholars initiative and Kolping organization Kenya.<\/p>}
Conference Highlights were<\/strong><\/p>
Participation, over 200 delegates, including representation from overseas (UK, Uganda, Somalia, Tanzania and others) who participated both virtually and physically.<\/li>
Panel discussion with panelists from the education and training sector, Agricultural cooperatives, financial co-operatives and County Govts.<\/li>
Over 30 papers, including international research results, presented by researchers<\/li><\/ul>
The 4^{th<\/sup>\u00a0CUK Annual conference had four sub- themes namely, (1) (Re) Membering, (2) Climate Change & adaptation by Cooperatives (3) Cooperatives of the Future and (4) Enablers of Cooperatives.<\/p>}
The general objective of the 2020 Conference was to examine cooperatives from an ecosystem perspective, the opportunities, challenges, and risks portended by a rapidly evolving globalized business world. Specifically, the conference had the following objectives:<\/p>
To discuss the concept of membership in cooperatives and explore measures for inclusion of all sections of our society.<\/li>
To interrogate the role cooperatives should play in addressing issues of climate change sustainably.<\/li><\/ol>
To discuss the key role played by special purpose cooperatives in addressing SDGs with a special focus of the Big 4 Agenda.<\/li><\/ul>
To explore on the need for re-alignment of businesses for sustainable development<\/li><\/ol>
Conference committee<\/em><\/strong><\/p>
The organization of the conference was spearheaded by a dedicated conference organizing committee. The membership was mainly drawn CUK. The committee was responsible for delivering a successful conference that included, among others, the following activities: mobilization of resources, funding, sourcing for collaborators and partners, identification and invitation of the keynote speakers and delegates, calling for abstracts and papers, posters and exhibitors, creating a strong network of industry players and policy makers; development of conference programming and schedule of activities and resource; event planning and management.<\/p>
Conference outcomes<\/strong><\/p>
Participants identified the following as the emerging issues;<\/p>
Change in regulatory environment \u2013 to strengthen the cooperative business model though Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms<\/li>
Designing, Developing and formulation of resilient cooperative business models that are attractive (inclusivity) to youth, women and PWD.<\/li><\/ol>
Implementation of National Cooperative Policy on the new models of cooperatives such as service\/worker co-operatives (transport, construction, drama, health).<\/li><\/ul>
Role of the cooperative business model in addressing challenges facing humanity.<\/li><\/ol>
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>
5^{th<\/sup>\u00a0CUK ANNUAL CONFERENCE<\/strong><\/p>}
The 5^{th<\/sup>\u00a0CUK Annual Conference \u2013 2021 under the theme \u201cSocial and Solidarity Economy as catalyst for resilience, inclusivity and attainment of Sustainable Development Goals<\/em><\/strong>\u201d was held on 27^{th<\/sup>\u00a0and 28^{th<\/sup>\u00a0July, 2021.<\/p>}}}
The conference was a great success with over 300 participants attending both virtually and in person. There were international participants drawn from institutions in Switzerland, South Africa C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, USA, Congo, Zimbabwe, Cameroon and Tanzania.<\/p>
\u00a0<\/p>
The two-day conference was officially opened by Ambassador Simon Nabukwesi, Permanent Secretary, State department of University education and research as the chief guest, at CUK main campus, Karen. The PS reminded participants that there was resilience in solidarity. He noted that the resilience of co-operatives was based on what co-operatives are intended to be as organizations and the values and principles that guide them.<\/p>
\u00a0<\/p>
The\u00a0conference objective<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0was to deliberate on resilience of cooperatives and other SSE organizations and their potential in serving as catalyst for inclusivity and attainment of Sustainable Development Goals. This objective was achieved through the conference sub-themes, namely, (1) Social and Solidarity Economy and Resilience; (2) Social and Solidarity Economy and inclusivity; and, (3) Social and Solidarity Economy and Sustainable Development Goals.<\/p>
\u00a0<\/p>
The day one keynote speaker Dr. Simel Esim, the Programme manager at the Enterprises Department of the International Labour Organization (ILO), working as Lead on Cooperatives and Social Solidarity Economy, joined the conference from Geneva. Her well researched and skillful presentation revolved around the conference theme. She urged the governments to consider the uptake of the SSE agenda so as to scale up and enable SSE in ways conducive to realizing the \u2018transformational vision\u2019 of the SDGs.<\/p>
Mr. Benard Chitunga, Senior Officer- Partnerships, Donors and Special Projects Affirmative Finance for Women in Africa (AFAWA), Agriculture and Human Development Complex, The African Development Bank joined from Dubai as the speaker for day two. Benard addressed the participants on inclusivity and inclusive economy. He noted that it was time to move women from being consumers to investors and that the economic advancement of women was a prerequisite for inclusive economy and sustainable economic growth.<\/p>
The conference was organized by the Co-operative University of Kenya, in collaboration with USIAD, Global Communities, CLEAR program Young Scholars Initiative and Shirika Sacco Society.<\/p>
Conference outcomes<\/strong><\/p>
Participants identified the following as the emerging issues that need to be addressed;<\/p>
Change in business models in response to changing environments \u2013 to strengthen the cooperative business model though building of resilient SSE organizations and associations;<\/li>
Designing, Developing and formulation of resilient cooperative business models, in line with the Social and Solidarity Economy policies and guidelines that are attractive (inclusivity) to youth, women and PWD, and a catalyst for attainment of SDGs.<\/li>
Need for the Co-operative sector to appreciate the role of new models of cooperatives such as service\/worker-owned co-operatives (transport, construction, drama, health) for sustainable development.<\/li><\/ul>
\u00a0<\/p>
[1]<\/a>\u00a0Resilience<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0as conceptualized in this study is the capacity to resist, cope with and recover from Covid-19 induced shocks.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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