The International Day of Cooperatives is celebrated on the first Saturday of July to increase awareness of cooperatives, highlight the complementary nature of the objectives of the United Nations and the international co-operative movement, and underscore the contribution of the movement to the resolution of global issues. The International Day helps strengthen and extend partnerships between the international cooperative movement and other actors, including governments, at local, national and international levels. This year’s theme is confronting climate change through cooperative enterprise.

For more information: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/social/intldays/IntlCoops/

World Population Day

11 July

In 1968, world leaders proclaimed that individuals have a basic human right to determine freely and responsibly the number and timing of their children. Forty years later, modern contraception remains out of reach for hundreds of millions of women, men and young people. This year’s World Population Day reaffirms the right of people to plan their families. It encourages activities, events and information that will help make this right real – especially for those who often have the hardest time getting the information and services they need to plan their families, such as marginalized populations and young people.

For more information: http://www.unfpa.org/wpd/