reports so they can be presented during the high-level forum and to our members. It is also to monitor the progress of co-ops in achieving the SDGs. If more of our members make their pledge, the bigger the role of co-ops in SDGs and the higher recognition will be received. We’re also encouraging our members to also use a different outlet to promote the work of co-ops in SDGs. And our members who are also the apex body of co-op movement in their respective countries are also advised to engage with the government and agencies of UN to let them know the efforts done by co-ops. In my opinion ICA, members of ICA and co-ops in general each has a role to fulfill and it is vital that everyone needs to talk the same language. For example, when we talk about poverty, I believe that many co-ops in Malaysia are working with members in improving the livelihood and income level. That means you’re working on the SDG 1 and SDG 2. So, if we can relate all our work to a particular SDG, then it means that we’re talking that language. We’re also actively promoting it through newsletter and social media to create a movement and create a bigger voice. What kind of challenges faced by co-ops in achieving the SDGs? And what can be done to cope with these challenges? I think challenges are more in terms of the regular work that we do. We may not be able to achieve all the SDGs, but the goals are set high. So, how are we going to move in that direction? Achieving the SDGs is one thing, but the real challenge is to set small targets that will eventually lead us in realizing the goals. Second is to have a roadmap because the journey that we’re heading is very far reaching and inspirational, so with a roadmap, we will have a clear direction of where we want to go. The third challenge is collecting and recording the data as well as being able to monitor it. Many governments and agencies
don’t recognize our contributions is because we don’t have the numbers, so we’re not able to go and tell them, “Look, this is the number our people work with and this is what we have achieved.” And then, the final challengeis communicating it out, so that people know what we are doing and they recognize what we are doing. Earlier this year, ANGKASA has voiced out our opinion on the issue of European Union (EU) palm oil ban. What is ICA-AP stand on this issue? The issue on palm oil is very complicated. It’s not a simple answer of “yes” or “no”. It has a lot of dimensions to it, but from the ICA perspective, it wouldn’t be right for us to say some decisions taken by someone is right or wrong and what we are saying is right or wrong. For us, the thing to look at is how does this ban affect our members who are involved in the palm oil industry. And is there a way, in which we can ensure that the members’ interests are kept in front. Everyone is talking about sustainable development. For ICA, it’s more how do we promote our members and co-operators, who are working on sustainable development. The political dimension and what countries are arguing regarding palm oil is not something that we want to focus on, but our members are working on SDGs and they are the ones that will be affected by any decisions that will be made.
What are your hopes for co-ops when it comes to SDGs?
My hope is tha tmembers of ICA to be well informed. And achieving the SDGs is not only for the members, but how much your contribution goes to the community. Also, it is about how much do we internalize the sustainability part of what we are doing without just looking at our interest, but in terms of future generation. It starts with making small changes, changing our behavior and actively contributing.
PROFILE PROFILE
Name Name
Balasubramanian (Balu) Iyer
Balasubramanian (Balu) Iyer
Current position in ICA-AP Country of birth
Regional Director (since April 2014)
Current position in ICA-AP Country of birth Education
Regional Director (since April 2014)
India
India
Education
1. Degree in Civil Engineering from the National Institute of Technology at Durgapur, India 2. Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Management from the Institute of Rural Management at Anand, India 3. Masters in Public Policy from the Goldman School of Public Policy at U.C. Berkeley, US
1. Degree in Civil Engineering from the National Institute of Technology at Durgapur, India 2. Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Management from the Institute of Rural Management at Anand, India 3. Masters in Public Policy from the Goldman School of Public Policy at U.C. Berkeley, US
Work expe- rience Work experience
Has over 25 years’ experience managing international development operations and overseeing multiple country offices including experience building new offices from the ground up Has over 25 years’ experience managing international development operations and overseeing multiple country offices including experience building new offices from the ground up 1. Has worked in India in co-operative development before moving abroad to work on Asian regional concerns for overseas agencies, and in particular in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Korea, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. 2. Has worked with the Aga Khan Rural Support Program, ActionAid India, International Development Exchange and the Asia Foundation
Involvement in co-opera- tives Involvement in co-operatives
1. Has worked in India in co-operative development before moving abroad to work on Asian regional concerns for overseas agencies, and in particular in Afghanistan, Bangla- desh, India, Korea, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. 2. Has worked with the Aga Khan Rural Support Program, ActionAid India, International Development Exchange and the Asia Foundation
June 2018 PELANCAR
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