The  ICA-AP Committee on Cooperative Research (CCR) hosted the 10th Coop Colloquium on 23 August 2024, continuing its efforts to strengthen the academic dialogue amongst researchers on cooperatives across the Asia-Pacific region. This edition focused on the theme of "Harmonizing Cooperative Legal Frameworks: Insights from Indian Cooperative Laws," drawing participants from 11 countries across the region and beyond.

The colloquium was both timely and relevant, given India’s rich history in the cooperative movement and the legislative developments of the past few years.  Prof. Yashvantha Dongre, Committee Chairperson and Vice-Chancellor, of Chanakya University, set the tone for the colloquium with his opening remarks. Drawing from his vast experience in the cooperative sector and academia, he emphasized the critical need for harmonizing cooperative laws across different jurisdictions. Prof. Dongre highlighted how legislative inconsistencies can hinder the growth and efficiency of cooperatives, especially those operating across state or national borders. His remarks laid the  foundation for the discussions that followed. 

Dr. Sagar Wadkar, Adviser, National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI),  as the key speaker of the colloquium provided elaborate details on Indian cooperative laws. His study of the subject provided participants with an understanding of the complexities and challenges within the Indian cooperative legal framework. Dr. Wadkar's presentation covered several key aspects – the historical evolution of cooperative laws in India (from the Colonial era to the present day); analysis of state-specific legislations and their implications for cooperative governance; the impact of recent national-level initiatives, such as the establishment of the Ministry of Cooperation; challenges in harmonizing state and central laws governing cooperatives; comparative analysis of Indian cooperative laws with international best practices and potential pathways for legal reforms to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of cooperatives. Dr. Wadkar's presentation not only educated the participants about the Indian context but also provided valuable insights that could be applied to cooperative legal frameworks in other countries.

Mr. Balu Iyer, Regional Director, ICA-AP in his reflections  contextualized the discussions within the broader framework of ICA-AP's mission and the global cooperative movement. He emphasized the importance of legal frameworks in upholding cooperative principles and values, while also highlighting the need for flexibility in cooperative laws to accommodate diverse cooperative models. Mr. Iyer underscored the critical importance of preserving the cooperative identity through legislative measures, emphasizing that the mere existence of laws is insufficient. He highlighted the necessity for the effective and seamless implementation of these laws to uphold and reinforce cooperative principles and values. He elaborated on the role of ICA-AP in facilitating knowledge exchange and promoting best practices in cooperative legislation. Additionally, Mr. Iyer outlined future directions for research and advocacy in cooperative law harmonization.  

The colloquium saw a lively Q&A session and discussions, where attendees from various countries shared their perspectives and experiences. Notable contributions came from participants representing India, Japan, Togo, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines. The diverse viewpoints from participants enriched the discourse, offering a  global perspective on cooperative legal frameworks.

Key Takeaways

• The need for a balanced approach in cooperative legislation, ensuring autonomy while maintaining necessary regulatory oversight.
• The importance of cross-border cooperation in harmonizing cooperative laws, especially within economic blocs.
• The potential of technology in enhancing cooperative governance and compliance with legal frameworks.
• The critical role of education and capacity building in ensuring that cooperative members and leaders understand and effectively navigate legal requirements.

Mr. Naveen Kumar Singh, Secretary of ICA-AP CCR moderated the colloquium and acknowledged the contributions of the expert speakers and participants in his vote of thanks. He highlighted the success of the colloquium in facilitating valuable discussions and sharing best practices in cooperative management.