The United Nations recognizes and reaffirms the role of cooperatives in economic, social and cultural development and in the achievement of social policy objectives as shown in various resolutions specific to cooperatives and the bi-ennial publication of the Secretary-General’s report on the role of cooperatives in social development.
In resolution 47/90 of 16 December 1992, the General Assembly proclaims "the first Saturday of July 1995 to be International Day of Cooperatives, marking the centenary of the establishment of the International Cooperative Alliance, and decides to consider the possibility of observing an international day of cooperatives in future years …”
UN International Day of Cooperatives, 7 July 2012
"Cooperative enterprises build a better world" - "Les coopératives, des entreprises pour un monde meilleur" - "Las empresas cooperativas ayudan a construir un mundo mejor" This year's theme links to the observance of the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives. It seeks to encourage the growth and establishment of cooperatives all over the world, and to recognize the actions of cooperatives in helping to achieve internationally agreed upon development goals, such as the Millennium Development Goals.
How to celebrate International Day?
Co-operatives around the world celebrate the Day in many different ways. Below are examples of some of the activities organised by co-operatives around the world:
- The messages of the ICA and United Nations are translated into local languages and widely disseminated to co-operators, media, government officials at all level.
- Co-operatives use newspapers and radio programmes to create awareness on their movements and contributions.
- Co-operative Fairs, exhibits, contests, and campaigns are held.
- Meetings with government officials, United Nations agencies and other partner organisations are held.
- Co-operatives partner with community agencies to champion economic, environmental, social and health challenges (blood drives, tree planting, etc.)
- Cultural events are sponsored - theatre, concerts, etc.
International Day of Cooperatives
2 July 2011
Theme: "Youth, the future of co-operative enterprise"
This year's theme links to the observance of the United Nations International Year of Youth. It addresses the need for all cooperative stakeholders to promote the participation of young people in the cooperative movement.
The International Day of Cooperatives addresses the need for all cooperative stakeholders to promote the participation of young people in the cooperative movement. Too often young people are not aware of the cooperative model of enterprise - they do not learn about cooperatives in school as cooperatives often do not figure in school curricula. Young people also may not do not realize that the products and services that they use are provided by cooperatives.
Yet, cooperatives provide young people opportunities that address their practical and strategic needs.
- They offer them a model of enterprise to to create their own businesses.
- They offer the opportunities to be employed with enteprises that address young people's concerns for more democratic, responsible and ethical business operations.
Cooperatives provide opportunities to young people to gain professional employment experience, to further their education and provide capacity building, encourage participation in decision-making in cooperatives or form their own co-operatives.
■ Message of the United Nations Secretary-General (English - pdf)
■ Message from the International Co-operative Alliance ICA (English - pdf)
■ Message from the International Labour Office (ILO) (English - pdf)
■ Message from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (English - pdf)
Please visit our partner's website: http://www.copac.coop/idc/2011/index.html
Previous Messages from the United Nations Secretary General:
2010: Cooperative enterprise empowers women
Message from the United Nations Secretary-General
English|French|Spanish|Chinese|Russian|Arabic
2009: 15th International Day of Cooperatives "Driving Global Recovery through Cooperatives"
English | French | Spanish | Chinese | Russian | Arabic
(Additional unofficial translations: Italian| Portuguese)
2008: 14th International Day of Cooperatives "Confronting Climate Change through Cooperative Enterprise"
[English] (pdf) [Français] (pdf) [Español] (pdf) [Arabic] (pdf) [Chinese] (pdf) [Russian] (pdf)
2007: 13th International Day of Cooperatives "Cooperative Values and Principles for Corporate Social Responsibility"
[English] [French]
2006: 12th International Day of Cooperatives "Peace-Building through Cooperatives"
[English] [French] [Spanish]
2005: 11th International Day of Cooperatives "Microfinance is OUR business: Cooperating out of poverty"
[English]
2004: 10th UN International Day of Cooperatives "Co-operatives for Fair Globalisation: Creating Opportunities for All"
[English] [French]
2003: 9th UN International Day of Cooperatives "Co-operatives Make Development Happen!: The contribution of co-operatives to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals"
[English] [French]
2002: 8th UN International Day of Cooperatives "Society and Co-operatives: Concern for Community"
[English] [French]
2001: 7th UN International Day of Cooperatives "The Co-operative Advantage in the Third Millennium"
[English]
2000: 6th UN International Day of Cooperatives "Co-operatives and Employment Promotion"
[English]
1999: 5th UN International Day of Cooperatives "Public Policy and Co-operative Legislation"
[English] [French]
1998: 4th UN International Day of Cooperatives "Cooperatives and the Globalization of the Economy"
[English]
1997: 3rd UN International Day of Cooperatives "The Co-operative Contribution to World Food Security"
1996: 2nd UN International Day of Cooperatives "Co-operative Enterprise: Empowerment for People-centred Sustainable Development"
1995: 1st UN International Day of Cooperatives "The ICA Centennial and the Next 100 Years of International Co-operation"