In a historic move during the ICA Annual Plenary Meeting in Manchester, UK, part of the Festival of Cooperatives, Harsh Sanghani was elected President of the International Cooperative Alliance Youth Committee, marking the first time an Indian has held this position.
The ICA Youth Committee, established under the International Cooperative Alliance, serves as a global thematic body representing young cooperative leaders. Its mission is to advocate for youth voices in policymaking, promote cooperative entrepreneurship, and foster leadership through initiatives such as toolkits, youth forums, and exchange programs
Currently structured with a President, regional vice-presidents, and an executive committee, the body organizes the Youth Leadership Exchange and regional hackathons (Coopathons), and supports peer-to-peer learning networks. It plays a key role in mobilizing participants under 35 to build sustainable cooperatives worldwide.
Prior to Sanghani, the committee was headed by Spain-based Ana Aguirre. Serving as inaugural President under the current framework, she announced her decision to step down earlier this year. Her departure triggered the call for nominations ahead of today’s election in Manchester
Sanghani’s election comes at a pivotal moment, aligning with the ICA’s celebration of the UN-designated International Year of Cooperatives (2025). It also underscores the ICA’s broader strategy to nurture youth leadership in the cooperative sector amid evolving global challenges.
Why this matters: As President, Sanghani will lead the Youth Committee’s global initiatives, fostering innovation, cross-border collaboration, and youth-driven advocacy. His leadership will be instrumental in shaping cooperative policies and practices for a new generation, advancing the movement’s core values of equity, empowerment, and sustainability.
Incidentally, Harsh is nephew of legendary cooperator Dileep Sanghani.
