Cooperative Financial Institutions (CFIs) have withstood many crises, particularly in the aftermath of the 2008 global recession and the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. The ILO publication entitled Resilience in a Downturn: The Power of financial cooperatives authored by Johnston Birchall proved crucial in putting cooperatives back in the policy agenda at the global level. CFIs are a unique method of doing banking and financial business which aims to translate the ICA Statement on the Cooperative Identity in serving members’ and communities’ needs and aspirations.
100 years after the idea of an international cooperative bank were sown at the ICA, the members and leaders of the International Cooperative Banking Association (ICBA) are convening the Centennial Event in Brussels. They will look at the People Centeredness of CFIs to re-affirm their belief in the cooperative identity and the resolve of cooperatives to Build a Better World.
The centennial event will be organized between 17 and 19 November 2022 at Manos Conference & Business Center in Brussels - Belgium, and will comprise three sub-events:
17 November 2022 | Thought-leaders’ Symposium - A platform for researchers and academics to share their ongoing work and future ideas concerning CFIs. The symposium aims to initiate a dialogue on the need for a global platform for thought leaders to advance knowledge, analyses and action concerning CFIs.
18 November 2022 | Centennial Event - Officially marking the centennial day, the session will be dedicated to the leaders, regions and sectors, the role of CFIs today and the contribution they can make towards sustainable development of communities.
19 November 2022 | Visits to cooperatives in Belgium - As part of the centennial event, ICBA will organize study visits to cooperatives in Belgium for onsite delegates.
Social Events - Welcome dinner: 17 November at 18h00 CET | Event Lunch: 18 November 13h00 CET | Centennial dinner: 18 November at 19h00 CET.
Registration – Registering for Online event will get you free access to all sessions and Onsite event will get you free access to all session, conference merchandise and access to social events. Onsite registrations are closed now while you can still register to attend the event online till 15 November. For more information and registration, click here.
