Monday, September 12, 2011

UN declares 2012 International Year of Cooperatives

The United Nations has declared 2012 to be International Year of Co-operatives (IYC) highlighting the contribution of cooperatives to socio-economic development, in particular recognizing their impact on poverty reduction, employment generation and social integration.

The UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/64/136 encourages all member States, the United Nations and all relevant stakeholders to take advantage of the IYC to promote cooperatives and raise awareness of their contribution to social and economic development and promote the formation and growth of cooperatives.

Goals for the International Year of Cooperatives are:

  • To increase public awareness about cooperatives and their contributions to socio-economic development and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

  • To promote the formation and growth of cooperatives

  • To encourage Governments to establish policies, laws and regulations conducive to the formation, growth and stability of cooperatives.

According to the UN, the International Year of Co-operatives, or IYC, "celebrates a different way of doing business, one focused on human need not human greed, where the members (who own and govern the business) collectively enjoy the benefits instead of all profits going just to shareholders".

"Having an International Year of Co-operatives provides an opportunity to captivate the attention of national governments, the business community and, most importantly, the general public on the advantages provided by the co-operative model," the UN says.

LINKS

Official United Nations website for International Year of Cooperatives

UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/64/136 - Proclamation of 2012 as International Year of Cooperatives

UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/65/184 - Mechanisms for IYC

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