PRESS RELEASE:

 International Conference on Cooperative’s Future and Readiness

The Polytechnic University of the Philippines College of Social Sciences and Development – Department of Cooperatives and Social Development (PUP CSSD DCSD), together with the Philippine Cooperative Center (PCC), with the special participation of the ASEAN Cooperative Organization (ACO), will be holding an online conference titled: “International Conference on Cooperative’s Future and Readiness”. The event, with the theme Advancing Future – Ready Cooperatives, will be conducted through Zoom from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm. The conference is part of the month-long celebration of the National Cooperative Month.

In today’s atmosphere, there is a pressing need to advocate for the ideals of cooperativism – in a more globalized and international scale. Being an integral actor in nation-building, the PUP CSSD DCSD had been disseminating the cooperative ideals through academic instruction, conducting research, social engagement, and partnerships with the cooperative sector and the movement as a whole.

The upcoming virtual international conference will feature topics on cooperative digitalization, cooperative youth participation, and cooperative resiliency and “future readiness”. The conference aims for the adoption of the paradigm of cooperatives and collectives, with the focus on economic stability, sustainable economic growth, and quality employment. It also pushes for the youth engagement and women participation in cooperatives. The end goal is to create an action plan for the growth of cooperatives amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Manuel M. Muhi, President of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and Dr. Raul Roland R. Sebastian, Dean of the PUP College of Social Sciences and Development, will attend the conference. ASEAN Cooperative Organization President Dato’ Abdul Fatah Abdullah will be one of the keynote speakers for the event, while Dr. Garibaldi O. Leonardo, the Philippine Cooperative Center’s Chairperson will discuss the sector’s readiness for post pandemic and the new normal.

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Polytechnic University of the Philippines College of Social Sciences and Development – Department of Cooperatives and Social Development

As part of one of the premier state universities in the country, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines College of Social Sciences and Development- Department of Cooperatives and Social Development (PUP-CSSD-DCSD), focuses on the inculcation of cooperative knowledge to the Filipino Youth. The DCSD aims to produce cooperative specialist youth with high degree of competence and expertise in business management, financial management, and community development.

The Philippine Cooperative Center

Born out of a series of cooperative consultations and confidence building process, the Philippine Cooperative Center (PCC) was organized as a body that coordinates national cooperative networks in the country. PCC has been the convener of the largest gathering of cooperatives in the country since 2004. Its main mission is to serve as a unifying and transforming voice of the Cooperative Sector for the empowerment and upliftment of the lives of the cooperative members and their communities. PCC is an active affiliate of the International Cooperative Alliance

The ASEAN Cooperative Organization

The ASEAN Cooperative Organization (ACO) was founded to lead and improve the strategic relations between cooperative movements in ASEAN countries. ACO assists cooperatives in their social responsibilities, organisation of seminars and conferences as well as the exchange of personnel expertise among the cooperatives of ASEAN member countries. ACO membership comprises of the Cooperative Apex or Holding Cooperative from ASEAN countries.

 Contact Details:

Department of Cooperatives and Social Development,

Polytechnic University of the Philippines:

Dr. Hilda San Gabriel

09152674909

Dr. Angelita Sumaway-Villaruel

09499950468

Philippine Cooperative Center

Edwin A. Bustillos

09178017309

Ray John Paul A. Santiago

09564490166