March 3, 2026
Belgorod University of Cooperation, Economics, and Law Held a Festive Meeting of the "Cooperators" Club Titled "Building a Better World: Dedicated to the 195th Anniversary of Consumer Cooperation in Russia"
On March 2, 2026, Belgorod University of Cooperation, Economics, and Law (BUCEL) hosted a meeting of the "Cooperators" Club titled "Building a Better World: Dedicated to the 195th Anniversary of Consumer Cooperation in Russia."
On March 2, 2026, Belgorod University of Cooperation, Economics, and Law (BUCEL) hosted a meeting of the "Cooperators" Club titled "Building a Better World: Dedicated to the 195th Anniversary of Consumer Cooperation in Russia." The event was organized jointly with the Public Chamber of the Belgorod Region and as part of the work of the UNESCO Chair "Education for Sustainable Development" at BUCEL.
The club meeting was attended by the Rector of the University, member of the Public Chamber of the Belgorod Region, Doctor of Economics, Professor E.V. Isaenko, and K.D. Valueva, project manager of the regional branch of the "Movement of the First." Guests of the club included Russian and international students, faculty from the Siberian University of Consumer Cooperatives and the Belarusian Trade and Economics University of Consumer Cooperatives, as well as heads of cooperative organizations from Jordan. The meeting was also attended by First Vice-Rector for Research, Doctor of Economics, Professor E.E. Tarasova; Vice-Rector for Educational Work and Youth Policy A.N. Boltenkov; Head of the Department of Theory and History of the Cooperative Movement G.A. Semenenko; as well as faculty, students, and postgraduate students of Belgorod University of Cooperation, Economics, and Law (BUCEL).
In her welcoming address, the Rector of the University, Doctor of Economics, Professor E.V. Isaenko, on behalf of the Public Chamber of the Belgorod Region and the entire university community, congratulated those present on the 195th anniversary of consumer cooperation in Russia. Elena Vitalyevna thanked the guests, Russian and international cooperators, for celebrating this milestone together with us. The Rector emphasized the role of cooperation in Russia and the importance of cooperative education in preserving the principles and values of cooperation. E.V. Isaenko noted that the work of cooperative educational institutions in Russia and the CIS countries within the framework of the UNESCO Chair "Education for Sustainable Development of Cooperatives," established at Belgorod University of Cooperation, Economics, and Law (BUCEL) in 2014, contributes to the promotion of cooperative identity. Within the framework of the UNESCO Chair "Education for Sustainable Development of Cooperatives," the university hosts international, national, and regional scientific conferences, roundtables, summits, and forums on cooperative issues, including a number of events dedicated to the International Year of Cooperatives 2025.
On behalf of the Siberian University of Consumer Cooperatives, E.A. Novoselova, Candidate of Economics, Associate Professor of the Department of Management, addressed those present with words of congratulations. The results of a study conducted at the university on the opportunities, challenges, and prospects for realizing the potential of youth in consumer cooperative organizations were presented by Gunel Aliyeva, a student of the Siberian University of Consumer Cooperatives.
Later in the meeting, first-year students of Belgorod University of Cooperation, Economics, and Law (BUCEL) shared with the guests the results of their research on the history of the emergence of consumer cooperation in Russia and presented the role of the Decembrists in its formation. They outlined the contribution of Russian theorists to the development of the cooperative movement in Russia, acquainted the audience with the history of the first consumer societies in Russia and the Belgorod region, and highlighted the prerequisites for the development of the Moscow Union of Consumer Societies, its goals, objectives, and achievements.
The results of his research on the topic "The 'Great Artel' of the Decembrists in the History of Russian and Belarusian Cooperators" were presented by A.A. Aksenov, Candidate of Historical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Law and Economic Theories at the Belarusian Trade and Economics University of Consumer Cooperatives.
During the roundtable, Alaa al-Din Awdah, Director of the Cooperation Directorate in Jerash Governorate, Jordan, spoke and joined the congratulations on the anniversary. Mr. Alaa al-Din Awdah noted that the cooperative movement in Jordan began more than 80 years ago and currently includes about 1,500 cooperatives. Agricultural cooperatives have seen the greatest development in the country, with the majority of them employing women.
The guest's address was continued by Samar Barakat Ash-Shawabkeh, Chairperson of the Al-Rayahin Cooperative Society (Jordan). She spoke about the agricultural cooperative she leads, noting that for more than 15 years, 28 women have been working there, growing vegetables.
At the conclusion of the meeting, all participants expressed the unanimous opinion that 195 years is not just a number — it is 195 years of working for the benefit of people. It represents dozens of generations who have preserved not only professionalism but also a special attitude toward their work, based on mutual assistance, care for society, and cooperation.
Today, we continue the traditions established by the Decembrists nearly two centuries ago. The very existence of organizations within the consumer cooperation system confirms that cooperation has always been, is, and will continue to be in demand.