New Board Election
The International Raiffeisen Union, (oldest Global Cooperative Union) will hold its board, Presidium and Re-election,
Bonn, 6th October, 2023
Dr. Nandini Azad Making History as the Longest elected
Female Candidate Second Time in a Century
Dr. Nandini Azad: Taking grassroots Womens voices to Scale
Ladders of Courage
“Cracking the Cooperative Ceiling: Dr.Nandini Azad’s Trailblazing Leadership Journey”
Koblenz, Germany – In a historic moment on September 27th, 2018, Dr. Nandini Azad, an eminent figure in India, etched her name in the annals of cooperative history. Her remarkable journey continued with a ground breaking re-election to the International Raiffeisen Union (IRU) Board on October 6, 2023, making her the first woman to join the board in 50 years and the only woman in the world to be re-elected to this prestigious position.
With a career spanning over three decades, Dr. Azad has consistently made significant contributions to fields such as gender equality, cooperatives, poverty alleviation, development, and financial inclusion. Her journey to the IRU Board began with her service as a special invitee to the Raiffeisen Board on gender diversity, where she played a pivotal role in advocating for greater inclusion and representation of women in the cooperative sector. In 2018, Dr. Azad accomplished a remarkable milestone as she became the first woman to join the IRU Board in 50 years. Her election was a testament to her expertise and dedication to cooperative ideals. Her trailblazing journey continued as she broke barriers, becoming the only woman in the world to secure re-election to this prestigious board. Her second term victory reaffirmed her commitment to fostering cooperation and sustainable development on a global scale. Beyond her international achievements, Dr. Azad’s exceptional contributions to India’s social and cooperative sector have earned her recognition among 133 influential figures, as acknowledged by the renowned German Indologist, Prof. Dietmar Rothermund, in his book titled “My Encounters in India.” This recognition underscores her profound impact on the cooperative movement and her tireless efforts to promote gender equality and alleviate poverty.
The International Raiffeisen Union (IRU), an esteemed worldwide association of national cooperative organizations, is built upon the foundational ideas of Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen, widely regarded as the “Father of Cooperatives.” With 53 member organizations spanning 33 countries across the globe, including Switzerland, Austria, France, Netherlands, Kenya, and India, IRU plays a pivotal role in advancing cooperative ideals and practices on a global scale.
Dr. Nandini Azad’s journey to the pinnacle of cooperative leadership was paved with dedication, expertise, and a deep commitment to gender diversity within the cooperative movement. This remarkable achievement speaks volumes about her continued dedication and contributions to the cooperative movement, which has been characterized by her unwavering commitment to gender equity and social inclusion.