“As a strong partner in development, the cooperative movement works with the United Nations every day to empower people, enhance human dignity and help achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs),” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement as the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2012 came full circle on 19-20 November with events and festivities at UN Headquarters in New York.

Some 150 representatives gathered for this two-day event themed “Promoting Cooperatives Beyond 2012″. A range of sessions, including on global food security, sustainable livelihoods, jobs creation and youth empowerment, were arranged to highlight the important role of cooperatives worldwide. Forthcoming initiatives to strengthen cooperatives beyond 2012 were also discussed.

The event was organized by DESA’s Division for Social Policy and Development (DSPD) and consisted of panel discussions, a youth forum, and the official closing ceremony that culminated with the IYC Short Film Festival. The panel discussions and youth forum were organized in collaboration with various partners, including the International Labour Organization, the Permanent Mission of Mongolia to the UN, Desjardins Group, and Rabobank.

Seven winning films were presented from countries including Brazil, Canada, Peru, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago and USA. The films focused on various themes, including cooperative stories about chili farmers, women crafters, food coops and cooperative housing. These films put spotlight on cooperatives as a member-owned enterprise model that places people at the heart of business.

For more information:

International Year of Cooperatives 2012

Closing Ceremony of the International Year of Cooperatives

Webcast:

Global Food Security and the Role of Cooperatives: Panel Discussion (part 1)

Cooperatives and Youth: Empowerment, Employment and Engagement: Youth Forum (part 2)

Closing ceremony of the International Year of Cooperatives on the theme “Promoting cooperatives beyond 2012 (part 3)

Closing ceremony of the International Year of Cooperatives on the theme “Promoting cooperatives beyond 2012 (part 4)

Source: UNDESA