India’s Kishor Kumar T K Inducted into ICA Working Group on Cooperative Cultural Heritage at Historic Workshop in Rochdale

Bengaluru, 7^t, 2025 – In a landmark recognition of India’s growing contribution to the global cooperative movement, Mr. Kishor Kumar T K, representing ULCCS India, has been officially inducted as a member of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) Working Group on Cooperative Cultural Heritage (WG-CCH). His induction took place during the International Workshop on Promoting Cooperative Cultural Heritage, held on 30 June 2025 at the historic Rochdale Pioneers Museum—widely regarded as the birthplace of the modern cooperative movement. He is the Chief Project Coordinator of ULCCS and Chief Operating Officer of UL CyberPark.

The workshop marked the opening of a week-long celebration of two historic milestones: the Second United Nations International Year of Cooperatives and the 130th Anniversary of the ICA. Hosted in Manchester and Rochdale, UK, the events have brought together cooperative leaders, cultural experts, youth entrepreneurs, and policymakers from across the globe. Highlights included the ICA General Assembly on 2 July in Manchester and celebratory activities concluding on 5 July, coinciding with the International Day of Cooperatives.

Organized by the ICA Working Group on Cooperative Cultural Heritage, the workshop focused on advancing global dialogue and action around the safeguarding of Cooperative Cultural Heritage—a practice officially recognized by UNESCO in 2016 as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Building on the momentum of earlier ICA initiatives in 2021 and 2022, the WG-CCH is working towards three strategic goals:

1.       Mapping and recognizing at least 25 globally significant cooperative heritage sites

2.       Drafting international standards and exploring certification mechanisms for Cooperative Cultural Heritage

3.       Launching a global awareness campaign to highlight the cultural and developmental role of cooperatives

The induction of Mr. Kishor Kumar T K is viewed as a significant step in enhancing South Asian representation within the global cooperative heritage initiative. Renowned for his grassroots leadership and dedication to cooperative values and cultural preservation, his contribution is expected to support the ICA’s 2026–2030 Strategy, which aims to strengthen cooperative visibility, impact, and share in the global economy.

In parallel, the International Cooperative Entrepreneurship Think Tank (ICETT) actively contributed to the week’s engagements. ICETT functions as a global strategic hub to boost cooperative competitiveness and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its core priorities include: Providing a platform for debate and knowledge exchange, promoting inter-cooperative business collaboration, Leveraging cooperative entrepreneurship innovation and Inspiring youth to lead the cooperative enterprises of tomorrow.

As the celebrations concluded with guided museum tours, visits to regional cooperatives, and thematic seminars, the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives reaffirms a shared global vision: Cooperatives are not only economic actors, but custodians of culture, history, and sustainable development.