International Conference on Co-operative Enterprises - Philippines
Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA)
University of the Philippines Los Banos
College, Laguna 4031 Philippines
November 8-10, 2012
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The University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) celebrates the International Year of Co-operatives by hosting the International Conference on Co-operative Enterprises on November 8-10, 2012.
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UPLB is a pioneer and premier university in Asia that hosts a number of international institutions, among them the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity. UPLB also has its Institute of Co-operatives and Bio-Enterprise Development (ICOPED) dedicated to teaching, research, extension and development of co-operatives and is the lead unit in the Conference. ICOPED is part of the College of Economics and Management that houses the Departments of Economics, Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management, as well as the recently proposed Rural Economic Development and Renewable Energy Center (REDREC). The College offers graduate and undergraduate academic programs for both local and international students.
The theme of the conference is "Co-operative Enterprises: Key to Sustainable Economic and Social Progress". The conference will feature keynote speeches, scientific papers and testimonials on the different breakthroughs and significant experiences in co-operative promotion and development. Papers will be presented in the focal areas of (1) co-operative education, (2) co-operative enterprise development, (3) co-operative finance, (4) ICT/database management for co-operatives, (5) women and youth in co-operatives, and (6) role of co-operatives in environmental sustainability.
- Co-operative Education Framework, Standard and Mainstreaming – state of co-operative education, challenges and constraints; standards for undergraduate and graduate curricula; required competencies of graduates in co-operative management; making the field of co-op management attractive to students; public investment in co-op education; non-degree/informal and distance education for co-ops; utilizing CETF for enhancing the competencies of co-ops.
- Co-operative Enterprise Development – survey of types of co-op enterprises and their contributions to agribusiness and economic development; country reports, case studies and success stories; balancing economic and social goals in co-op business development; business development services (BDS) and entrepreneurship for co-op SMEs; convergence initiatives for co-op enterprise development.
- Co-operative Finance – principle of savings / capital build-up for co-op self-reliance, microfinance and micro-insurance for co-ops; experiences and lessons learned in co-op banking; policy framework for addressing financial constraints of co-ops; impacts of financial assistance programs to co-ops; financial viability and equity issues in co-op financial services; innovative and technology-based financial facilities for co-ops.
- ICT Research and Database Development and Management – ICT for co-ops’ business competitiveness; public sector’s role in co-op database development and management; linking research and database management for co-ops; e-learning initiatives for co-ops; utilizing information technology for co-op sector networking, advocacy and promotion.
- Women and Youth Participation in Co-ops – gender issues in co-ops; women and youth involvement in co-op business operations and social activities; building character and competence of the youth for co-ops; social responsibility of co-ops in empowering women and youth for nation-building.
- Sustainability Issues and Co-ops’ Role in Environment and Natural Resources Management – harmonizing environmental and economic objectives in co-op operations; renewable energy (wind power, geothermal, etc.) investment options for co-ops; co-op-based waste recycling and use of indigenous materials; co-op-based watershed management and upland development; participation of co-ops in coastal resource management.
Paper presenters have submitted information (title, abstract, author, contact and institutions) through the form provided here or emailed directly to icoped@uplb.edu.ph. Each paper discusses a breakthrough or significant experience in co-operative development or a completed research in one of the focal areas identified above.
Please address inquiries about the conference to impabuayon@yahoo.com, conference@philcoop.net or call Tel/Fax (63 49) 536 3266. The conference website URL is philcoop.net/conference.