The 16th ICA Asia-Pacific Research Conference will be held in Bandung, Indonesia from 15-17 December 2022 hosted by the Indonesian Cooperative University (IKOPIN University). The conference is being organized by the ICA-AP Committee on Cooperative Research (CCR) and IKOPIN University to bring together academics and researchers on cooperatives in the Asia-Pacific region in a hybrid format and showcase the presentation of papers and discussion.

The theme of the Conference is “Rebuilding a Global Society Through Cooperative Identity”. The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the entire social, economic, and political fabric; locally, nationally, as well as globally. As is the case for every crisis, the pandemic is being dealt with through collective efforts. Cooperatives have responded to address the harsh situation faced by their members and communities. Some of them have provided an alternate way of organisation and mobilisation that make people and communities more resilient to future crises. The pandemic and world order call for a rethinking of our dominant economic and social model as it defies natural and environmental boundaries. Cooperatives have taken the first steps towards Building Back Better, to put sustainable development, qualitative growth, and the economy of well-being as an ultimate goal.

The conference comes as an oppotunity for the cooperative movement to reflect on its role in the crisis and in rebuilding a resilient global society. The presenters will deliberate on the unprecendented global crisis and the opportunity for the cooperative movement. The conference aims to address wide range of topics which will cover:

• Strengthening the resilience of cooperative communities
• Coordination between cooperatives and Government, local bodies, and other agencies
• Corporate social responsibility, creating shared value, stakeholder engagement etc.
• Role of cooperatives in restoring normalcy, community involvement etc.
• Policy and legal frameworks, public private partnership etc.
• Governing commons through cooperatives: resources, irrigation, fisheries etc.
• New areas: Healthcare, elderly care, childcare, energy platforms etc.
• Cooperative and digital platform
• Cooperative and circular economy
• Cooperative and youth involvement for SDG #8

On the first day of the conference, a dedicated workshop will be organized for young scholars and early career researchers to cultivate and enhance interdisciplinary collaboration. The workshop will be an opportunity for these scholars to present their research in a friendly environment and be provided constructive feedback and support from senior academic researchers in the field.  

The ICA-AP CCR will bestow two meritorious papers with Dr. Mauritz Bonow Young Researcher Award (US$ 500 and US$ 300) to researchers not over 35 years of age, presenting their papers at the conference. The organisers are hoping to publish peer-reviewed research papers with reputed journals and book publishers.  For regular updates, please visit https://ccricaap.ikopin.ac.id.