Indian cooperative scene is empty as all the top leaders have flocked to Cancun in Mexico to participate in ICA General Assembly. The official launch of the International Year of Co-operatives is being held during the General Assembly 14-18 November 2011 here. The theme of the event is “Co-operative Enterprises Build a Better World”.
This session of ICA assumes significance on other counts too as election to the Board has to take place on Friday. Readers can recall that after initial tug of war, IFFCO candidate Mr Gowda emerged as consensus choice from India. The seat had fallen vacant following untimely demise of IFFCO chairman Surendra Jakhar. But Sri Lanka is also bidding for the post and in case of weakening of Indian front, the victory of Gowda may not be smooth.
Monday 14 November will begin a series of statutory meetings held by various ICA bodies and will carry over until Tuesday afternoon.
On Wednesday afternoon series of workshops followed by the Opening Ceremony, Welcome Reception and a show would follow. The Closing Plenary will take place on Friday just before lunch. The closing Gala Dinner and Dance will take place on Friday evening.
During the conference, a number of key topics will be discussed, including:
? Celebrating the ICA launch of the International Year of Co-operatives
? Raising the public awareness of co-operatives
? Communicating co-operative values in branding and marketing.
? Marketing your co-operative on the web and in social media.
? Getting the attention of the media and telling your story.
? Co-operative legislation in developing countries
? The Global 300.
? A series of workshops and educational sessions covering the theme of the conference from different perspectives which will be hosted by various ICA sectoral organisations and thematic committees.
Friday afternoon, the ICA General Assembly will convene to conduct the statutory business of the ICA including:
? elections of global Board members to fill any vacancies
? approval of amended statutes for a number of ICA regions
? amendments to the ICA Statutes and Bye-Laws
? approval of a number of resolutions