The Division for Social Policy and Development in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, in collaboration with the Government of Mongolia, is hosting an Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on "Cooperatives in Social Development" on 3-6 May 2011 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

The meeting is organized around four key themes: (1) Promoting research on cooperatives; 2) Identifying and Promoting Good Practices and Addressing Challenges faced by cooperatives; (3) Raising Public Awareness on cooperatives; and (4) Policy and Planning Beyond 2012.

In addressing these themes, the EGM will 1) highlight the strengths of cooperative enterprises in promoting social development; 2) identify important factors and practices important for the successful operation of cooperatives; 3) identify and assess ways and means to raise awareness about cooperatives;4) understand the current state and gaps in research and information in support of policy formulation for cooperative development; 5) review prevailing policies and laws impacting cooperatives and identify strategies to create supportive policy environments for cooperatives; and 6) identify priority capacity-building strategies to promote and strengthen cooperatives

In addressing these core issues, the objectives of the EGM are to:
· provide background information and substantive inputs to the Secretary-General’s report on cooperatives in social development to the 66th session of the General Assembly in 2011;
· draft an international plan of action beyond 2012 to be adopted as an outcome of the IYC.

The draft plan of action for cooperatives beyond 2012, consistent with the objectives of the IYC, is expected to include principles and guidelines for good practices, an international research agenda and policy recommendations for Member States.

For more information about this event, please visit: http://social.un.org/index/ExpertGroupMeetings.aspx