In the era of rapid globalization, cooperatives face a major challenge: the lack of interest from the younger generation, especially Generation Z, who often view cooperatives as conventional and outdated institutions. To address this challenge, the Student Cooperative Study Group (KOPSI) of the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Airlangga held a seminar entitled "Red and White Cooperative: A Strategic Solution or Merely Symbolic?" This activity is part of the work program of the Education and Training (EnT) Division, which aims to dissect the relevance of the Red and White Cooperative movement amidst the dominance of digital startups, modern investments, and creative economy platforms that are more popular among young people. This seminar was held for one day, precisely on Friday, November 14, 2025, at the Miendrowo Hall Universitas Airlangga .
This seminar presented a multi-stakeholder discussion involving academics, students, cooperative practitioners, and policymakers. The goal was to critically analyze whether the Red and White Cooperative movement is capable of being a strategic solution in attracting the interest of Generation Z or is merely symbolic without real impact. Furthermore, this activity is also designed to provide education on the importance of cooperative transformation through rebranding, digitalization, and business model innovation to suit current dynamics.
This activity has strong relevance to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially point 4, namely Quality Education, because it serves as an educational tool for students and the younger generation about the values ​​of cooperatives as a collaborative and sustainable business model. In addition, this seminar is also in line with SDGs point 8, namely Decent Work and Economic Growth, by opening up opportunities for collective entrepreneurship, encouraging job creation, and supporting inclusive economic growth through the participation of the younger generation.