In the picture above, from left to right: Dr. Sidsel Grimstad (Asia and Pacific), Professor Jessica Gordon-Nembhard (Americas – North), Professor Cynthia Giagnocavo (Global and Europe), Professor Isaac Nyamongo (Africa), Dr. Marcelo Vieta (Americas – North and South), and Dr Asia Guerreschi (ICA Young Scholars Network).

Dr. Sidsel Grimstad, Vice Chairperson of the ICA-AP Committee for Cooperative Research (ICA-AP CCR) and faculty member at Griffith Business School, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia, represented the region at the Global Cooperative Research Colloquium held on 30 and 31 May 2025 in Trento, Italy.

The colloquium, hosted by the European Research Institute on Cooperative and Social Enterprises (EURICSE), brought together leading scholars and institutions from around the world working on cooperative, social, and solidarity economy research. It was co-organised by EURICSE, the ICA Global Committee on Cooperative Research (CCR), the EMES International Research Network, and CIRIEC International, with support from a wide range of cooperative research institutes and networks.

The colloquium was led by Professor Cynthia Giagnocavo, Chair of the ICA Global CCR, and Dr. Giulia Galera from EURICSE. It aimed to co-develop a global cooperative research agenda and strengthen collaboration across regions. The event began with presentations from the four principal organising networks, ICA Global CCR, EURICSE, EMES, and CIRIEC, which provided valuable insights into their structures, areas of focus, and global reach.

Following the opening, participants were divided into four thematic working groups to explore key research areas:

• Cooperative transformation and new cooperative forms
• Transitioning to more sustainable and democratic societies through circular economy models
• Work and democratic participation
• Inter-cooperation and the transformative potential of the cooperative movement

Over two days of collaborative activity, participants used formats such as world cafés, idea gardens, and brainstorming sessions to generate research questions and ideas. These outcomes are currently being compiled into a draft global research strategy, which will be partially presented at the upcoming ICA Global CCR Conference in Montreal, scheduled from 8 to 11 July 2025.

A major theme that emerged during the colloquium was the need to broaden the geographic and conceptual scope of cooperative research. While much of the historical research has been rooted in Europe and North America, there is a growing recognition of dynamic and diverse cooperative movements in the Asia-Pacific and African regions. This point was powerfully reinforced by keynote speaker Professor Jean-Louis Laville, who called for greater inclusion of multiple cooperative voices, traditions, and models.

As the sole representative from the ICA-AP region, Dr. Grimstad contributed insights into the growing research efforts and regional networks across Asia and the Pacific. Her engagement with fellow CCR representatives from Europe, Africa, North America, and the Young Scholars group helped shape a more inclusive and globally relevant cooperative research agenda.

Reflecting on the experience, Dr. Grimstad noted, “It was both a responsibility and a privilege to represent the Asia-Pacific region in this global conversation. There is immense value in engaging across regions to co-create inclusive and plural research pathways for cooperatives worldwide.”

ICA-AP expresses its sincere gratitude to the Business Council of Cooperatives and Mutuals (BCCM), the ICA, and the ICA-AP CCR for supporting Dr. Grimstad’s participation in this important initiative.

In addition to its intensive working sessions, the colloquium provided opportunities to build professional relationships and explore the historic city of Trento, located in one of Italy’s most cooperative regions. The setting added a meaningful dimension to the gathering, reinforcing the strong legacy and continued relevance of cooperative action in addressing today’s global challenges.