Highlights from the ICA Global Cooperative Conference: Focus on Care Economy and Digital Innovation

The ICA Global Cooperative Conference featured dynamic participation from CICOPA members, who engaged in sessions on favorable policies, leadership, and the cooperative identity. Among these contributions, two successful panels, moderated by CICOPA, stood out for their focus on critical and emerging areas: the care economy and digital transformation.

1st Panel : Cooperatives in the Care Economy

Moderated by CICOPA Secretary-General Diana Dovgan, this morning session brought together global leaders to discuss how cooperatives address pressing challenges in the care sector. Panelists included:

• Dr. Simel Esim, Manager, ILO Cooperative and Social and Solidarity Economy Unit
• Dr. Sonia George, General Secretary, Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), and Executive Committee Member of the International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF)
• Mr. Giuseppe Guerini, President, CECOP
• Dr. Rose Karimi, Cooperative Advisor, HealthPartners
• Ms. Hazel Corcoran, Executive Director, Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation (CWCF)
• Melina Morrison, CEO, Australian Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM)

The CICOPA panel on cooperatives in the care economy highlighted innovative solutions from around the world to address challenges in this vital sector. Dr. Sonia George (SEWA and IDWF) shared how her cooperative empowers women care workers through training, information, and social security. Dr. Simel Esim (ILO) emphasized the role of cooperatives in the Global South, where limited state resources often make them essential providers of care services. Dr. Rose Karimi (HealthPartners) highlighted efforts to achieve SDG 3 while addressing the disproportionate burden on women. Hazel Corcoran (CWCF) showcased the Multicultural Health Brokers Cooperative in Canada, which supports immigrant workers by bridging cultural and social divides. Meanwhile, Melina Morrison (BCCM) presented an Australian government-funded program fostering diversity in the care sector through cooperative values and models. These insights illustrated how cooperatives can transform care systems globally, particularly for marginalized groups.

2nd Panel: Cooperatives and Digital Innovation

In the afternoon, Diana Dovgan also moderated a session exploring the intersection of cooperatives, digital tools, and new technologies. Panelists shared experiences and strategies for leveraging technology to strengthen cooperative ecosystems:

• Piero Ingrosso, Legacoop, Italy
• Manuel Leiva, President, FACTTIC, and member of Patio.coop
• Steve Ediger, Founding Worker-Owner, ChiCommons Cooperative and member of Patio.coop
• Ms. Viraj Desai, Senior Associate, IT for Change

The CICOPA panel on cooperatives, digital, and new technologies explored how tech coops are navigating challenges and seizing opportunities in the digital age. Viraj Desai (IT for Change, India) highlighted how coops offer a democratic alternative in digitalization, enabling members to control their data and share the generated value equitably. Manuel Leiva (FACTTIC, Argentina) shared how his federation connects tech coops with clients and transforms programmers into cooperators. Steve Ediger (ChiCommons, USA) discussed integrating technology with cooperative principles, focusing on data privacy and mapping coops. Piero Ingrosso (Legacoop, Italy) presented Coopfond, a mutual fund supporting digital innovation in coops, from startups to research initiatives. Leiva and Ediger also showcased their work with Patio.coop, a global IT co-op network providing solutions and support to enterprises worldwide.