16th Annual Plenary Meeting: International Cooperative Alliance Asia-Pacific Committee on Youth Cooperation Manila, Philippines
The 16th Annual Plenary Meeting of the International Cooperative Alliance Asia-Pacific Committee on Youth Cooperation (ICYC) unfolded in a hybrid format, combining physical and online participation. Mr. Shree Padmanabhan, Secretary of ICYC, delivered his welcome message and set the agenda for the meeting.
Mr. Alireza Banaeifar, Chairperson, welcomed the members and guests to the meeting and extended his greetings to Ms. Ana Aguirre, President of the ICA Youth Committee, and Dr. Yashavantha Dongre, Co-Secretary, ICA-AP Committee on Educational Institution (ICEI), and Assistant Secretary Vergel Hilario of the Cooperative Development Authority of the Philippines.
In his speech, Mr. Banaeifar presented a comprehensive report from 2019 to 2023 which highlighted the success of various programs, including the Asia-Pacific Youth Summit, Coopathon, collaborations with different thematic committees of the ICA-AP, and the Go Green Campaign (GGC), the globally-known and recognized activity of the ICYC.
The pandemic was not a hindrance for the youth to continue advocating the Go Green Campaign. In fact, in 2020, over 150 youth from across the Asia and Pacific region planted altogether 17,000 various tree saplings.
Celebrating its 5th year this 2023, the Go Green Campaign was conducted during the Asia Pacific Cooperative Youth Summit 4.0 in Sabah, Malaysia. This is the first physical activity for the Go Green Campaign wherein youth from different countries in the Asia Pacific gathered together and led the advocacy.
Atty. Dulce Bustamante, Vice Chairperson, provided an update on the ICYC Regional Youth Workshop, which took place from November 3rd to 5th, 2023, at the First Pacific Leadership Academy in Antipolo, Rizal, Philippines. She focused mainly on the solutions for problem statements identified by the participants based on case studies extracted and modified by Mr. Anurag Dang, Secretary of the NCUI Youth Committee. More information on the workshop is available here.
A pivotal moment during the meeting was the election of office bearers. Candidates gave their presentation on their statement of interests for the position of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson. Ms. Gelizabeth Cabuhat-Generale from 1CISP Life and General Insurance was newly elected as Vice-Chairperson, securing the maximum votes, and Atty. Dulce Bustamante from Union of Legitimate Service Contracting Cooperatives (ULSCC) was unanimously elected as the Chairperson. The election results were declared and signed by the Election Committee.
The meeting was concluded with closing remarks from distinguished leaders—Dr. Ariel Guarco, ICA President; Dr. Chandrapal Singh Yadav, ICA-AP President; and Dr. Bhima Subramaniyam, ICBA President. Their insights underscored the significance of the cooperative movement and the crucial role young leaders play in shaping its future.
The venue for next annual meeting will be decided during the next all-members meeting in the month of December, 2023.
The report from the workshop can be downloaded here.
