Programme

Throughout the world, cooperatives are making a significant contribution to sustainable economic development and providing stability in labour markets. People are coming together to form cooperatives on a voluntary basis to solve common economic, social, and cultural issues. Two hundred and fifty million people are working in cooperatives globally (not including external part-time and temporary workers), and in the G20 countries, cooperatives provide jobs for 12% of the entire working population, while the turnover of the world’s 300 largest cooperatives totals approximately USD 2.2 trillion. The world’s largest, the International Co-operative Alliance, represents the interests of close to a record 1 billion individual members. As cooperatives belong to and are run by and serve the interests of their members, they enable effective resolution of economic issues and the development of social and human capital and formation of communities of people, making cooperatives one of the most effective means to maintain economic and social stability. Cooperatives are frequently founded on mutual assistance. As a form of organization, cooperatives demonstrate high rates of survival and sustainability in times of crisis. What is the role of cooperatives globally? What prospects are there for developing the cooperative movement in the Russian Federation? How are cooperatives beneficial in the context of addressing existing social issues and economic challenges?

Moderator:
Brian Yeung , Editor, Asia Weekly

Brian Yeung

Editor, Asia Weekly

Brian Yeung is an established media professional specialized in international relations. In prior to his current role, he was an independent contributor and consultant. He covered international events, contributing opinion pieces and provided original comments for more than 10 Chinese, English and Russian media including print, online and broadcast. He has been interviewed by a number of media outlets which include Kommersant (Russia), Panorama (Italy), Television Broadcasts Limited (Hong Kong) and among others. He has also appeared regularly on Sputnik International (Russia) and Radio Television Hong Kong. In prior to his editorial career, Brian was with The Economist Group. He organized the Group’s inaugural global event World Oceans Summit in Singapore.

Panellists:
Anthony Barbagallo , Councillor of the Regional Government of Sicily for Tourism, Sports and Entertainment
Dmitriy Zubov , Chairman of the Board, Central Union of Consumer Societies of the Russian Federation
Petar Stefanov , President, Consumer Co-operatives Worldwide
Valentin Timakov , Director General, Agency for the Development of Human Capital in the Far Eastern Federal District
Nikolay Kharitonov , Chairman, State Duma Committee for Regional Policy and Issues of the North and Far East
Patrick Anthony Chinamasa , Minister of Finance and Economic Development of the Republic of Zimbabwe
Alexander Tsybulskiy , Acting Governor of Nenets Autonomous Area

Anthony Barbagallo

Councillor of the Regional Government of Sicily for Tourism, Sports and Entertainment

Since 2015, Anthony Barbagallo has served as Councillor of the Regional Government of Sicily for Tourism, Sports and Entertainment. His political career began in 2005, when he was elected as mayor of Pedara. He held this position until 2012, when he became member of the regional parliament of Sicily. He received a degree in law (1998) at the University of Catania (Sicily). Barbagallo started his professional career in 1998 in Catania, where he worked for Giuseppe Tamburello's legal firm. In 2002, he established his own law office in this town. He specialized in judicial and extrajudicial activities as well as legal counseling for SMEs.

Dmitriy Zubov

Chairman of the Board, Central Union of Consumer Societies of the Russian Federation

Dmitry Zubov Born May 11, 1954 in Vyksa, Nizhny Novgorod Region. Graduated from Moscow Aviation University then worked as a foreman at the Lukhovitsky Engineering Plant. 1979–1983: headed the youth civic activity organisation at the plant. 1983: created and later headed the Soviet Centre for Youth Residential Corps, then developed and implemented a system of student construction brigades. 1989–1991: Deputy Director of the Soviet Centre of Film and Television for Youth. 1992–1996: worked at a number of commercial enterprises, focusing on import-export relations and investment projects. 1999: Deputy Vice-President, AFK Systema. May 2016: Head of Centrosoyuz of the Russian Federation, having designed and presented a concept for development of consumer cooperation in Russia through the year 2020. The priorities of the concept include international economic cooperation and joint work with cooperative organisations of different countries as part of an international cooperative alliance. Dmitry Zubov holds a CSc and has multiple publications on economics. His thesis was on problems and concepts of improving investment activity in Russia. Married with two daughters.

Petar Stefanov

President, Consumer Co-operatives Worldwide

DATE OF BIRTH 28 November 1958 PLACE OF BIRTH Sofia, Bulgaria EDUCATION Master's degree in Economics University of National and World Economy, Sofia SPECIALISATION: 1987-1989 Higher School of Management to the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria, qualification "Certified business manager” 2011 PhD Economics EMPLOYMENT RECORD: 2003 - present President of the Central Cooperative Union 1995-2003 Vice President of CCU, Business Operations and Shareholdings Division 1989-1995 Director of Cooperative Mineral Water Bottling Company “BULMINVEX-GB”, Sofia PARTICIPATION IN NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT BODIES:1995-present Member of Group III of the Economic and Social Council of the Republic of Bulgaria PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE BODIES: International Cooperative Alliance /ICA/ 2009 - present Member of Board of Directors & Chair of Governance committee Consumer Cooperatives Worldwide/CCW/ 2015 - present President Cooperatives Europe 2013 - 2017 Vice President 2006 - 2013 Member of Board of Directors European Association of Consumer Cooperatives /EURO COOP/ 2016 - present Board member 2010 - 2016 Vice President 2004 - 2010 Board member HONORARY AWARDS AND PRIZES: 2004 and 2006 State Award of Honour for “Contribution to establishing conditions for business development in Bulgaria” 2007 Honorary medal 50 Anniversary of EURO COOP 2008 Republic of Bulgaria State Order “Civil Merits” – first degree for his contribution to the development and promotion of the values and institutions of the cooperative movement in Bulgaria 2009 Honorary Plaque with the image of the founder of the Hungarian Cooperative Movement 2011 Honorary Medal for development cooperation between CCU-Bulgaria and Centrosojuz Russia 2013 Honorary Medal of National Federation of Consumer Cooperatives, France 2016 Order of Merit for contribution to development of cooperative movement in Russian Federation

Valentin Timakov

Director General, Agency for the Development of Human Capital in the Far Eastern Federal District

Valentin Timakov was born on the 28th of February 1969 in the city of Cheboksary. In 1989 graduated from French Department of Nizhny Novgorod State Linguistics University. From 1995 to 2000 Timakov worked in Philip Morris Company, where he ran the gamut from commercial officer to business development specialist. In 2000 started his career in Liggett Ducat Company as Capability and Talent Manager and in 5 years left the company as the Head of Human Resources and Administration. In 2005 Timakov was appointed to the position of Director of Human Resources and Administration in SIBENKO (Siberian Coal Energy Company). From 2007 to 2009 held the position of HR-Director in En+Group (RUSAL, Evrosibenergo, Central European Aluminium Company, United Petroleum Group). From 2009 – Vice President of Human Resources in IBM East Europa/Asia. In June 2013 Timakov was appointed to the position of Vice President of Russian Post. From 2015 – Under-secretary of Minister of the Development of the Russian Far East, committee member of Russian Union of Industrialists and Enterpreneurs. October 2015 – Director General of Agency for the Development of Human Capital in the Far Eastern Federal District. Upgrade qualifications: Global HR strategies- London Business School; Corporate Director- Institute of Directors, UK; Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development; Maximizing Human Capital. Thunderbird Program – CBSD.

Nikolay Kharitonov

Chairman, State Duma Committee for Regional Policy and Issues of the North and Far East

Nikolai Kharitonov graduated from the Novosibirsk Agricultural Institute with in agronomics and from the Academy of National Economy under the Government of the Russian Federation. He is a Candidate of Sciences (Econ.). Director of a state farm, Chairman of AO Galinskoye (Moshkov District of the Novosibirsk Region). Honoured agricultural worker of the Russian Federation. Honoured physical culture worker of the Russian Federation. He has been elected deputy to the rural and district councils of people’s deputies, deputy to the Novosibirsk Region Council of People’s Deputies, a people’s deputy of the RSFSR; has been a member of the Committee of the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation for social development of rural areas, agrarian issues and food. Nikolai Kharitonov was nominated by the Communist Party of the Russian Federation as President of the Russian Federation in the 2004 election. Deputy of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation of all the seven convocations. Member of the faction of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation. He has been awarded the “Order of Friendship”, medals “For Labour Merit”, “To commemorate the 850th Anniversary of Moscow”, the commemorative anniversary medal and commemorative token of the Chairman of the State Duma “100 Years from the Day the State Duma was Founded in Russia”, Honorary Certificate of the State Duma, badge of honour of the State Duma “For Merits in Developing Parliamentarism”, gold medal “For Contribution to the Development of the Agricultural Complex of Russia”, medal “For Merits to the Novosibirsk Region”.

Patrick Anthony Chinamasa

Minister of Finance and Economic Development of the Republic of Zimbabwe

• Born Patrick Anthony Chinamasa on the 25th of January 1947 • A qualified Legal Practitioner (1972) • Completed Programme on Symposium on Investments Abroad, Dallas, USA (1996) • Completed Programme on the Arbitration of Global Projects, Dallas, USA (1996) • Alumnus of the International and Comparative Law Centre of southwestern Legal Foundation, Dallas, USA (1996) • Research Fellows Scholar in Residence at the International and Comparative Law Centre of the Southwestern Legal Foundation, Dallas, USA (1997) • Member of the Zimbabwe Institute of Management (1999-present) Past Positions • Senator and Chairman of the Senate Legal Committee (1985-1989) • Attorney-General of Zimbabwe and ex-officio member of Cabinet and Parliament (1989-2000) • Chairman of Committee of COMESA Ministers of Justice/Attorneys-General responsible for setting up COMESA Court of Justice, drawing up court rules, recruiting staff and appointing COMESA Court Justices • Head of the Zimbabwe Government Negotiating Team with Zambia – Distribution of CAPCO assets (1990-July 2000) • Leader of the House of Assembly and in charge of Government Business (July 2000 – 2008) • Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (2000-2013) • Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and Member of Cabinet (2000-2008) • Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs (2009-9 September 2013) Political Background • Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitutional Commission (1999-2000) and produced the 2000 Draft Constitution • Leader of ZANU (PF) delegation in the ZANU (PF)/MDC dialogue (March 2002 – July 2002) • Member and Chairman of ZANU PF Team negotiating with MDC formations (2003-2004) • Chief Negotiator (ZANU PF) in the SADC initiated Dialogue leading to the GPA and formation of the Inclusive Government Present Positions • Member of Parliament (Makoni Central Constituency) (2013 to present) • Minister of Finance and Economic Development and Member of Cabinet • Member of Central Committee: ZANU (PF) • Secretary for Legal Affairs: ZANU (PF)

Alexander Tsybulskiy

Acting Governor of Nenets Autonomous Area

Born on July 15, 1979 in Moscow. Education: Graduated from the Military University attached to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation in 2001. Graduated from the Moscow Institute of International Business in 2006. Fluent in English, Greek and French. Work experience: 1996–2005: Military service. 2006–2008: Worked in various positions at the Department of Foreign Economic Relations, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Russian Federation. February–August 2008: Worked in various positions at the Department of International Cooperation, Staff of the Government of the Russian Federation. 2008–2010: Aide to the Minister, Ministry of Regional Development of the Russian Federation. 2010–2011: Deputy Director of the Department of International Relations and Development of Cross-Border Cooperation, Ministry of Regional Development of the Russian Federation. 2011–2013: Director of the Department of International Relations and Development of Cross-Border Cooperation, Ministry of Regional Development of the Russian Federation. January–March 2013: Director of the Department for the Coordination of State Industry Programs, Ministry of Regional Development of the Russian Federation. March–September 2013: Aide to the Minister, Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation. September–December 2013: Director of the Department of the Minister’s Affairs, Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation. 2014–November 2014: Director of the Department for Interaction with Customs Union Authorities and Economic Cooperation with CIS Countries, Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation. November 2014: Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation. September 28, 2017 appointed acting governor of the Nenets Autonomous District

Front row participants:
Antonio Piccoli , Director, GIM-Unimpresa