It has been slightly more than nine months since last year’s Annual Co-operative Leaders’ Conference (ACLC) concluded.

Attracting more than 120 co-operators to Taipei, key highlights of the sustainability-themed conference included a learning journey to a Taiwanese farm which supplies produces to one of its local co-operatives, sharings by fellow Taiwanese co-operators on sustainability practices, and keynote by thought leader Professor Ang Hak Seng.

SNCF caught up with two co-operators – Max Tan (Premier Security Co-operative) and Li Sar Soh (NTUC FairPrice Co-operative) – who shared with us what they found most memorable and useful learning.

Key takeaways by local co-operators

What did you think of ACLC 2023’s theme – “Running Sustainable Businesses”?

Max Tan: I thought it was refreshing and relatable. Besides having to have strategic long-term planning for our businesses, there is a healthy urgency to take on board how can we be more ethically, socially and environmentally responsible.

Soh Li Sar: Sustainability is no longer just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity in the modern business landscape. Given the nature of co-operatives, which are oriented towards creating greater good, we have the potential to lead by example to showcase how businesses can thrive while positively impacting the planet and its people. ACLC 2023 was a timely reminder for co-operatives to take action on integrating sustainability into our operations, if they have not done so.

Why are data protection and cybersecurity still relevant today?

MT: With the entire world moving towards or going through digital transformation, these topics are getting more relevant and closer to our hearts. The ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats, the increasing value of data, regulatory pressures, and the rapid adoption of digital technologies underscore the continued relevance of data protection and cybersecurity.

Organisations and individuals need to remain vigilant, adapt to emerging threats, and invest in robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard sensitive information and maintain the trust of stakeholders. 

SLS: Data protection and cybersecurity are key components of the “Social” and “Governance” aspects in ESG. Today’s digital world is a growing playground for highly sophisticated cyber-criminals. Weak data protection is an indicator of ineffective governance, and this leads to a loss of trust for any company. More than before, our stakeholders hold us responsible for safeguarding their data and ensure it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.

What did you learn from the session on “Co-operatives are sustainable enterprises” by Professor Ang Hak Seng?

SLS: Given the diversity of the audience, I was very impressed with Professor Ang’s ability to explain the importance of sustainability for co-operatives in a way that was easily understood by everyone. I also found the ESG checklist a very useful tool for the uninitiated to start their sustainability journey.

What did you enjoy most from ACLC 2023?

MT: I’ve always enjoyed visiting and hearing from fellow co-operators from other countries. Despite their unique social, political, environmental challenges, they make the best out of their situation to serve their members. Their fighting spiriting and will to survive and evolve is simply admirable and often make me think that we are not alone in this challenging, but yet fulfilling path.

SLS: I was very inspired by the sharing from our Taiwanese hosts on how they have embedded sustainability into their way of doing business as well as a way of life. Most importantly, I enjoyed the warm friendships and camaraderie built at the ACLC. 

ACLC 2024 is upon us!

This year’s ACLC is set to take place closer to the sunny island in Penang, Malaysia, offering those who have yet participated in the enriching event an opportunity to do so.

Paying true to the Federation’s strategic direction, the conference theme “Doing The Right Things & Doing Things Right” echoes how leaders ought to tap onto their foresight and vision to steer co-operatives forward and leverage the right resources to do so.  

The highly anticipated event will run from 6-9 November 2024.

For more details, click here. 

By Sng Ler Jun