The Annual Co-operative Leaders’ Conference (ACLC) 2025 organised by Singapore National Co-operative Federation will be held in Shenzhen, China from 30 October to 2 November.

This year’s theme “Co-ops Build a Better Singapore” sheds light on how co-operatives (co-ops) contribute to social compact and how co-ops can better serve members and the wider community.

Talking to one of our speakers, Dr Justin Lee, ahead of the conference, he shares his views on expanding the potential of co-ops in Singapore.

Read the exclusive below.

Could you tell us a little about yourself – your area of work/research?

Dr Justin: I’m a Senior Research Fellow and Head of Policy Lab at the Institute of Policy Studies. I work with partners to implement participatory budgeting at a Town Council and my hope is to start a special version of a Citizen’s Assembly designed to bridge division.

I have also created a wiki platform that enables citizen mapping of social needs and community assets and will soon test whether a roving community innovation lab can catalyse local initiatives and incubate community-owned businesses in different neighbourhoods.

I also serve on the research committees of Singapore Children’s Society and SINDA.

Based on your research and experience, how do you see the future of co-ops in Singapore?

Dr Justin: There is great potential for co-ops to participate in transformative social change. Worker-owned co-ops can help create social mobility and economic inclusion for low-income groups. Social care co-operatives also offer an interesting alternative to our mainstay of social service provision through Social Service Agencies.

To achieve these visions, the co-operative sector will need to establish partnerships across new sectors and community assets.

What do you hope participants will take away from your session?

Dr Justin: I hope to see the potential of new forms of co-ops and consider transforming their own organisations or supporting others to incubate such new forms.

In your view, how can co-ops further strengthen their role and make a bigger impact in our communities?

Dr Justin: As I will cover in my presentation at ACLC 2025, co-ops can consider broadening their purpose, expending their ownership base and experimenting with dynamic forms of governance. 

By Mary Njo

Interviews have been edited for clarity