The Ukrainian scientific and practical conference held within the consumer cooperation system
THE COOPERATIVE SECTOR OF UKRAINE’S ECONOMY: innovative development and European integration
This was the theme of the Ukrainian scientific and practical conference held within the consumer cooperation system.
The conference was organized by the Organizing Committee chaired by Illia Gorokhovskyi, Chairman of the Council of Ukrcoopspilka, PhD. The Organizing Committee also included: Lidiia Voinash, Member of the Presidency of Ukrcoopspilka, Director of the Department of Education and Science, Director of the Educational and Methodical Center Ucooposvita, Candidate of Economic Sciences; Petro Kutsyk, Rector of Lviv University of Trade and Economics, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor; Oleksii Nestulia, Rector of Poltava University of Economics and Trade, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor; Bohdan Semak, Vice-Rector of Lviv University of Trade and Economics, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor; Oleksandr Shumanov, Member of the Presidency of Ukrcoopspilka, Executive Director.
The scientific and practical conference was held to mark the International Year of Cooperatives, proclaimed by the UN. Leaders and specialists of regional consumer unions, as well as heads of cooperative educational institutions, were invited to participate.
His speech set the tone for the discussions at the conference. The first plenary session — «Strategic vision for the development of the economy, business, and education under wartime challenges and during Ukraine’s post-war recovery» — was moderated by Illia Gorokhovskyi, who also delivered an opening speech that set the tone for the conference discussions.
His presentation covered the current challenges cooperatives are facing today and outlined ways to overcome them. He highlighted the important theme of changes in economic systems throughout human history. According to Illia Gorokhovskyi, cooperation — as a synthesis of economic efficiency, innovation, and social solidarity — may replace capitalism, which is reaching the limits of its potential.
— We must look ahead, think about reconstruction, new technologies, education, and development. After the war ends, knowledge, ideas, and professionalism will form the foundation of a renewed Ukraine, — summarized Illia Gorokhovskyi.
Participants heard presentations from invited experts: Andrii Dlihach, Doctor of Economics, founder of Advanter Group and the international business community Board, co-founder of the Centre for Economic Recovery, coordinator of the National Economic Strategy development, Chairman of the Coalition of Business Communities for the Modernization of Ukraine, Head of the Centre for Social Change and Behavioral Economics; Maksym Hardus, Communications and Partnerships Specialist, Razom We Stand — on «Public policy and energy sector reforms». Oleh Sharov, Director General of the Directorate of Higher and Adult Education of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, was also invited to speak.
The second day of the conference was moderated by Lidiia Voinash and Bohdan Semak.
Participants listened to a wide range of substantive, professionally prepared, and academically grounded presentations on important and strategic issues in the development of Ukraine’s cooperative sector. Comprehensive research was presented, covering the historical roots and current state of the cooperative movement, transformation processes in cooperative structures amid legislative changes, and prospects for adapting the cooperative model to new economic conditions.
Scientific reports were delivered by faculty members and PhD candidates of: Lviv University of Trade and Economics — Natalia Vlasiuk, Mykhailo Bodak, Olha Hyrka, Natalia Palko, Olena Burdyk, Oleh Leha, Bohdan Lylo; Poltava University of Economics and Trade — Artem Pozhar, Zhanna Kononenko, Tetiana Husakovska, Alina Tkachenko; Vinnytsia Cooperative Institute — Liudmyla Dybchuk; Khmelnytskyi Cooperative Trade and Economic Institute — Alina Didyk.
Pedagogical staff of cooperative professional colleges also actively contributed: Vitalii Zhmaka (Sumy Professional College of Economics and Trade), Natalia Zhul (Cherkasy Cooperative Economic-Legal College of PUET), Mariia Protsyk (Ternopil Cooperative Professional College), Yuliia Poliak (Rivne Cooperative Economic-Legal Professional College), Olha Sashko (Lutsk Cooperative Professional College of LUTE), Arsen Arutiunian (Kirovohrad Cooperative Professional College of Economics and Law named after M.P. Sai), Aida Badalova (Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi Economic-Legal Professional College of PUET), Dmytro Olenyuk (Zhytomyr Cooperative Professional College of Business and Law), Natalia Pravda (Samariv Cooperative Professional College), Lidiia Marchyshyn (Lviv Cooperative Professional College of Economics and Law).
Summing up the conference, Lidiia Voinash expressed deep gratitude to all speakers for their insightful, analytically rich presentations and professional proposals, which formed the basis for expert discussion and outlined pathways for further development of Ukraine’s cooperative sector. She emphasized that the presented materials contributed to a deeper understanding of current economic, social, and legal processes, and expanded opportunities for introducing innovative management models, modernizing cooperative activities, and integrating into the European economic space.
Special thanks were extended by Lidiia Voinash to all participants, leaders, and specialists of consumer society unions who demonstrated commitment, engagement, and dedication to the development of the cooperative movement.
Based on the results of the event, an electronic Conference Proceedings Collection was prepared, containing 87 presentation abstracts. The collection has been sent to regional consumer unions and cooperative educational institutions for use in practical work, educational processes, and for informing enterprises and organizations of the consumer cooperation system.
