CECOP | CICOPA Europe

Important recognition of cooperatives at the world level: the United Nations proclaim 2012 as the International year of Cooperatives

The resolution that the United Nations have just adopted is a real plea for cooperatives. This new resolution on the role of cooperatives in social development proclaims 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives. UN Member States approved the resolution (A/RES/64/136) on 18 December at the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The UN resolution recognises that the cooperative business model is a major factor of economic and social development, promoting the fullest possible participation in the economic and social development of people in both the developed and developing world, and that, in particular, cooperatives contribute to the eradication of poverty. The resolution also encourages all governments to create a more supportive environment for cooperative development by promoting and implementing better legislation, research, sharing of good practices, training, technical assistance and capacity-building of cooperatives, etc.

The international Year of Cooperatives 2012 will mobilise the global cooperative Movement together with the International Cooperatives Alliance (ICA) in creating a global campaign featuring a series of events around the world and targeted messages which all cooperatives will be able to use to promote cooperative model.