In a landmark gathering of global cooperative leadership, Harsh Sanghani, President of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) Youth Committee and Youth Representative to the ICA Global Board, represented the voice of youth at the CM50 – Cooperative Ministers Conference held in Doha. The young Sanghani is the nephew of IFFCO & NCUI Chairman Dileep Sanghani.
The conference marked the 50th anniversary of the International Cooperative Alliance’s engagement with governments and policymakers, bringing together cooperative ministers, heads of multilateral organisations, and global leaders from more than 100 countries.
The CM50 summit served as a high-level policy dialogue on the role of cooperatives in shaping the future of the world economy. The highlight of the event was the collective adoption of “A Contract for a New Global Economy”, a transformative framework that places people, planet, and peace before profit.
The framework envisions cooperatives as the Third Way of Economy-a model that balances growth with equity, sustainability, and social well-being, offering an alternative to both capitalism and socialism.
Representing global youth, Harsh Sanghani was the only young leader present among ministers and policymakers from across the world. His participation ensured that the perspectives of young people and future generations were woven into the global cooperative dialogue.
Sanghani emphasized that the youth must not only inherit the future but also shape it through active participation in cooperative movements and policymaking.
Reflecting on the experience, Sanghani said it was an honour to represent young cooperators worldwide at such a pivotal global platform. “Seeing our vision for cooperatives as the Third Way of Economy being recognised and accepted internationally is truly remarkable,” he noted.
Sanghani also expressed gratitude to Mukundraoji Deobhankar, whose mentorship, he said, had guided his efforts toward strengthening the global cooperative vision.
Sanghani highlighted that the adoption of “A Contract for a New Global Economy” is more than a policy declaration-it is a global commitment to build economies rooted in democracy, dignity, and sustainability. He called for more youth involvement in the cooperative movement, noting that the sector’s future vitality depends on fresh energy, inclusivity, and innovation.
The CM50 conference concluded with a shared resolve among global leaders to advance cooperative-led solutions to challenges like inequality, climate change, and social exclusion, reaffirming cooperatives as a bridge between economic development and human welfare.
