Role of Cooperatives in Crises Periods and Post Crises Recovery in Africa

BACKGROUND

During the Africa Young Scholars Workshop on Cooperatives, October 27-28, Nairobi, Kenya, the following 3 issues stood out:
a) Lack of interaction between Young Scholars in French Speaking African countries and those in English Speaking.
b) Few YSI members in the Cooperatives Working Group from the French Speaking countries.
c) Increasing negative socio economic effects of Covid 19 and the resilience of cooperatives.

It was generally agreed that there is a need to bring together Young Scholars in cooperatives from the French speaking African countries and English speaking Africa as well as senior cooperators in the region with the aim of closing the gap between young co-operators in the French speaking countries thereby promoting new partnerships between French speaking regions and the English speaking regions while improving YSI presence in French Speaking African countries.
In an effort to assist Young Scholars from the French Speaking countries and English Speaking countries to interact in the spirit of co-operativism and solidarity economy, COOPCONGO and RECAF have seen it fit to invite YSI Cooperative Working Group to organize a Workshop in Kinshasa, DRC to be held on 28- 30 October 2021 : Presential/physical event at the occasion of the Summit of Cooperatives for Africa.

We expect about 75 local Young Scholars and 20 Young Scholars from Francophone African countries as well 5 young scholars from the COOPSADC countries. DRC (Co-operative University – UNICOOP) will provide two (02) Mentors from within DRC (Co-operative University – UNICOOP) and we plan to invite 3 more mentors from around Africa to complement the local team.

This Workshop will facilitate exchange of experiences, lessons learned, good practices and other research outputs on the contribution of Co-operatives to recovery during and after periods of crises among young scholars in cooperatives, young cooperators, senior cooperators and researchers. In addition, the workshop will promote the Young Scholars Initiative Working Group among the University students and young practitioners in the DRC and Africa as a region.
COOPCONGO and RECAF will offer technical support and necessary help in logistical organization and venue provision while we will arrange for touristic and co-operatives visits. COOPCONGO and RECAF will also ensure participant security in collaboration with the Government of the DRC.

*OBJECTIVES *

The objectives of the workshop are threefold:
(1) To bring together Young Scholars in cooperatives from the French speaking African countries and English speaking Africa as well as senior co-operators in the region with the aim of closing the gap between young co-operators in the French speaking countries thereby promoting new partnerships between French speaking regions and the English speaking regions.
(2) To facilitate exchange of experiences, lessons learned, good practices and other research outputs on the contribution of Cooperatives to recovery during and after periods of crises among young scholars in cooperatives, young co-operators, senior co-operators and researchers.
(3) To promote the Young Scholars Initiative Working Group among the University students and young practitioners in the DRC and Africa as a region.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

The workshop is expected to have the following main outcomes:
(a) An analytical summary capturing best practices and lessons learned from the discussions on the current and potential contribution of Cooperatives in dealing different crises.
(b) The workshop is also expected to provide an important opportunity for young co-operators to interact and develop partnerships with senior co-operators, key policy makers and other cooperatives researchers in the continent.
(c) It is also envisaged that the deliberations will lead to actionable suggestions and follow-up actions for the relevant stakeholders in countries in the African region in the overall context of Cooperatives responses to social problems and vision 2030.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants in the workshop will be primarily those attending the RECAF programme. Target participants include: (1) Co-operators from the French and English speaking African countries and young scholars in DRC and other African countries; (2) representatives of RECAF and key donors, including local governments working in the region on the theme of the meeting; and (3) representatives of civil society, NGOs, academia, and the private sector, including philanthropic organizations present in the region.

Proposed Mentors:
Dr. Doudou Mirefu, DRC (President of RECAF),
Dr. Natalino Bernaed (President of Apex of Cooperatives, Mozambique)
Dr. Silas Maiyo (Research Coordinator, The Co-operative University of Kenya & Chairperson AFRICOOP Consortium)
Prof. Mohamed M Maie, Somalia (Director Malaq Maye Technical and Co-operative Institute, Vice Chairperson AFRICOOP Consortium)

SESSIONS

Broad topics for contributions are BUT not limited to:

1. Genesis of cooperatives and their contributions to member centrality, sustainable business and development.

2. Contributions of cooperatives towards meeting SDGs

3. Cooperatives as resilient and sustainable social enterprises

4. Cooperatives and Health crises. Role of Cooperatives in post covid-19 recovery. Health Based Care provided by Bases initiatives and how the cooperative model strengthens existing self-help initiatives in the provision of Home Based Care? The current involvement of cooperatives in the provision of Home Based Care for HIV/AIDS patience.

5. The role of Cooperatives in displacement contexts; the role of cooperatives in internal displacement, the economics of refugee cooperatives, and the role of women’s cooperatives for women’s empowerment and gender equality in displacement contexts.

   COVID-19 COMPLIANCE

There are countries in the World seriously affected by Covid-19 cases. Fortunately, some African countries are not seriously affected. To ensure safety of participants, we will only consider applicants who are vaccinated against Covid-19 and who hold a certificate of testing. Masks and Sanitizers will be provided at the Event. The government of DRC have committed itself to assist us in making sure we comply to WHO Covid-19 regulations. The Head of State who is also the Patron of the Event will be present and security of all participants was promised.