International Co-operative Alliance – Africa has organized for its 6^th Technical Committee of Africa Ministerial Co-operative Conference (TCAMCCO) that will be held from 28^th May – 1^st June, 2019 in Harare – Zimbabwe. This conference will offer a platform to all continental Cooperative leaders, cooperators, partners and other stakeholders a chance to continue unpacking the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to raise awareness on their usefulness in guiding development across the world. This year’s discussions will revolve around SDG 3, with the theme, “Promotion of Good Health and Well Being in Africa through Cooperatives.”

The Cooperative University of Kenya held its 3^rd Cooperative University of Kenya Annual Conference from the 25^th - 26^th March, 2019. The two days event saw discussion around; cooperatives, sustainable development and global perspective, the role of cooperatives in the “Kenyan Big Four” Agenda and re-imaging cooperatives in the are of big data.

The Mozambican Association for Promotion of Modern Cooperative (AMPCM) in partnership with the Educational Cooperative of Mozambique - Coopedemo, held a women’s event in village of Ambrose in Mozambique during the International Women's Day, celebrated on 8 March. This was an interactive activity to highlight the participation of women in the various areas of social life, in order to stimulate the debate and actions that extend women's presence in the spaces of power and decision-making within the cooperatives and community.

AMPCM held this activity so as to promote deep reflection on the challenges and achievements of women in cooperatives and also assess the level of perception on the human rights of women and girls. According to the AMPCM Director Mr. Valentim, the activities targeted to promote modern cooperative, gender equity and empowerment of women in their areas of performance.

The Cooperative Support Services in Nigeria hosted the 3rd Annual Information and Communication Technology Masterclass for Cooperative Leaders, Regulators and Managers on 13^th March, 2019 in Nigeria. With several topical discussions on Enterprise Startups Strategists and Online Business/Investments; that cooperative business should tap and make good use of Internet of things (IoTs), Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Cloud and other technologies.

The forum aimed to enhance capacity of the participants on Digital Platforms and other Technologies for Cooperative Business Growth but also gained new perspective, new frontiers on the shift in technology as it affects the future of cooperative business in Nigeria. In line with the 5^th cooperative principle of education, Training and Information, for the 3rd year running now, the Cooperative Support Services Ltd have been consistently engaging and involving our Cooperative Leaders, Regulators and Managers on the use of ICT to grow their businesses personally and cooperatively.

Alliance Cooperatives Cameroon (COOP-CAMEROON) hosted a delegation from Israel Arab-Jewish Center for Empowerment, Equality, and Cooperation Negev Institute for Strategies of Peace and Economic Development (AJEEC-NISPED) at their headquarters in Yaoundé - Cameroon from 17^th to 24^th March, 2019. AJEEC-NISPED promotes sustainable social, economic and political development in a holistic approach of community resilience that integrates different sectors among others: climate, security, health, risk management and disaster.

Following their visit in Cameroon, the delegation exchanged on various topics particularly on the lack health cooperatives in Cameroon which remains the less tackled issue with very little structure. COOP-CAMEROON acknowledged the role that AJEEC-NISPED has played in education, training and information to capacitate cooperative movement in Africa. The delegation expressed willingness to share their experience that will motivate and improve the living condition of cooperative members in Cameroon and Africa as a region..

The #coops4dev staff met in Nairobi Kenya for their Annual Review Meeting (ARM) that took place from the 4^th – 8^th march, 2019 at The Cooperative University of Kenya. This was the 3^rd meeting and the first of its kind to be held in Africa since the inception of ICA-EU partnership project entitled “Co-operatives in development – people-centered businesses in Action”.

The ARM usually aims at bringing together the ICA-EU staff together to discuss the concluded year, exchange on the pillars of their work, network groups training and deliberate on the next year’s action plan.

7. Cooperatives and Peace: Strengthening Democracy, Participation and Trust.

Cooperatives Europe in partnership with the UK Cooperative College and CoopsEurope Development Platform (CEDP) released a research report on “Cooperatives and Peace: Strengthening Democracy, Participation and Trust – A Case Study Approach”. The research covered 20 inspiring case studies from 14 countries that showcases the cooperative contribution to peace-building and conflict resolution around the world.

In March 2019, the Aroundtheworld coop team were in Rwanda to document and bring us the interesting story of COOPRORIZ-Ntende. A rice-growers cooperative that started in 2003 and has a membership of 3,761 – among which 1,311 are women. We can say that COPRORIZ-Ntende story is one of the amazing stories on sustainable development with visionary leaders and committed farmer members grow rice working on a huge marshland created by the government almost twenty years ago.

Catch more on the COOPRORIZ-Ntende impressive and innovative sustainable business from here.

9. Harnessing the Power of Cooperatives to achieve Sustainable Development for all.

The Division for Inclusive Social Development of the Department of Economic and Social Development (UNDESA) organized for an Expert Group Meeting (EGM) from 26^th – 28^th March, 2019 in Nairobi Kenya. The EGM brought together a group of experts in cooperatives; to review and reflect on experiences and lessons gained since the International Year of Cooperative (2012), analyze to what extent previous plans of action have achieved their desired impacts and make policy recommendations in the changing global contexts in particular the 2030 Agenda. Specifically, the EGM focused on the role of cooperatives in providing universal health care and eradicating rural poverty.

International Cooperative Alliance was presented by Alliance Africa Policy Officer – Mr. Njuguna, who presented on the “Assessing the success of activities since the International Year of Cooperative”. The EGM also deepen the understanding of the relationships between the cooperative enterprise model and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and delivering the outcomes of the world summit on social development. The experts analyzed and policy recommendations that will inform the preparation of the report of the Secretary-General on the issue concerning cooperatives in social development in 2019.

The Alliance Africa Youth Network President, Ms. Hilda Ojall participated in the 3^rd General Assembly of African Youth Commission that took place form 23^rd – 26^th March, 2019 in Banjul - Gambia. The congress discussed youth empowerment across the continent through engaging the young leaders and youth development actors in crucial conversations around youth voices and youth friendly spaces for young people in Africa and how best to champion their own development agenda.

With the theme, “the future is now, youth are not too young to lead”, the youth once again called for active engage and participation in policy and decision making processes at national, regional and continental levels and debated on youth development matters with particular focus on the inclusion and representation of young people in governance (civil, economic and political), peace and security and migration.

The 7^th Policy Forum for Development (PFD) took place in Brussels from the 13^th – 15^th March, 2019. The forum saw 130 participants in attendance representing the civil society organizations (CSO), local authorities (LA), professionals and business associations, European Union (EU) Member States and EU institutions. PFD usually offers a platform to discuss key issues affecting the global development agenda and corresponding EU policies. In this year’s edition, participants took stock of the role of partnerships in the 2030 Agenda implementation and specifically the environmental and climate components, as well as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the proposal for a new Neighborhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI).

The cooperative movement was well represented by policy officers from the four regions of International Cooperative Alliance; to exchange experiences and best practices on international development and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Through its people-centered approach, cooperatives have been able to promote local and sustainable development in all regions and, therefore, contribute to the implementation of Agenda 2030 and SDGs.

12. Cooperative Identity Development.

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Disclaimer
“This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of The Alliance Africa and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.”

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Alliance Africa March 2019 Newsletter

12. Cooperative Identity Development.

Useful Links: