CUK Conference 2024

Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Co-operatives and MSMEs Development

Hon. FCPA Wycliffe A. Oparanya, EGH.

Chief Guest

Message from the Principal Secretary, State Department for Co-operatives

I am delighted to welcome you to the Joint Co-operative Conference 2024. This is a conference with a unique touch to co-operatives in that it promotes adoption of digital technology in co-operative operations. The world is experiencing vast changes associated with technology. The co-operative movement should not be left behind in the race of change. Attending the conference offers transformative insights into the latest trends and best practices in co-operative development. It provides a unique networking opportunity to connect with industry leaders, policymakers, and potential partners. By participating, you contribute to driving positive change, promoting sustainable solutions, and making a significant impact in the co-operative and associated sectors.

Mr. Patrick Kilemi, Principal Secretary, State Department for Co-operatives.

Download the joint co-operative conference 2024 concept note

Message from the Chairman of the Joint Co-operative Conference 2024 Organizing Committee

I welcome you to the Second Co-operative Movement Stakeholders’ Annual Conference and the Platform Cooperativism Consortium Conference (The Joint Co-operative Conference) 2024. Our commitment to "Digital Africa Rising" drives our efforts in ushering a future where digital transformation is seen as a crucial chapter in a broader narrative of justice, aligning with co-operative principles and values to drive advancements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, and technology. Together, let's catalyze positive change and build a sustainable future for co-operatives and associated economies.

Prof. Kamau Ngamau, PhD., EBS., Chairman, The Joint Co-operative Conference 2024 Organizing Committee and Vice Chancellor, The Co-operative University of Kenya

WHY THE JOINT CO-OPERATIVE CONFERENCE 2024

In this era of an ever-changing technology and fast rising influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), we ask, ‘what is the impact of the digital era on co-operatives globally, in Africa and, particularly, in Kenya?’ We seek to identify opportunities for the movement which could further enhance and embellish the place of cooperatives in Kenya’s socio-economic development. With the Year 2025 declared by the United Nations as the International Year of Co-operatives, and cognizant of the critical role digitization plays, co-operatives should accelerate the momentum to embrace technology and demonstrate their contribution to Sustainable Development Goals and Kenya’s Vision 2030. The government of Kenya through the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) is providing the infrastructure for a digital superhighway. This digital superhighway will create new opportunities for a tech industry that will bring renewed energy into the center of the co-operative movement and attract youth to the sector.

To delve into this further The State Department for Co-operatives, the Co-operative University of Kenya and the Platform Cooperativism Consortium are organizing a joint meeting to explore these topics. The five-day Joint Co-operative Conference scheduled for November 2024 has “Digital Africa Rising” as the overarching theme. The conference is divided into two parts. The first two of five days will be the annual co-operative stakeholders' conference which will bring together the key players in Kenya’s extensive co-operative movement to discuss the place of technology in the country’s co-operative space. It will bring participants from across Kenya’s co-operative spectrum. The last three days will be devoted to an international audience at the Platform Cooperativism Consortium scientific conference which will bring together participants from across the globe to participate in the annual event.

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