International Day of Cooperatives

Message from the Secretary-General on the International Day of Cooperatives: 4 July 2009

French | Spanish | Chinese | Russian | Arabic
(Additional unofficial translations: Italian| Portuguese)

The United Nations recognizes and reaffirms the role of cooperatives in economic, social and cultural development and in the achievement of social policy objectives as shown in various resolutions specific to cooperatives and the bi-ennial publication of the Secretary-General’s report on the role of cooperatives in social development.

In resolution 47/90 of 16 December 1992, the General Assembly proclaims "the first Saturday of July 1995 to be International Day of Cooperatives, marking the centenary of the establishment of the International Cooperative Alliance, and decides to consider the possibility of observing an international day of cooperatives in future years …”

How to celebrate International Day?

Co-operatives around the world celebrate the Day in many different ways. Below are examples of some of the activities organised by co-operatives around the world:

The messages of the ICA and United Nations are translated into local languages and widely disseminated to co-operators, media, government officials at all level.
Co-operatives use newspapers and radio programmes to create awareness on their movements and contributions.
Co-operative Fairs, exhibits, contests, and campaigns are held.
Meetings with government officials, United Nations agencies and other partner organisations are held.
Co-operatives partner with community agencies to champion economic, environmental, social and health challenges (blood drives, tree planting, etc.)
Cultural events are sponsored - theatre, concerts, etc.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF COOPERATIVES 2009:
4 July 2009
Theme:"Driving Global Recovery through Cooperatives"

This year's International Day theme focuses on recovery rather than crisis. It aims to highlight the role that cooperatives have in not only promoting economic growth, but also in promoting ethical values - values which have been severely challenged during the financial and food crisis. It underlines that cooperatives can effectively contribute to global economic recovery and that they will do so in respect of the Cooperative Values and Principles which guide their operations.

The theme also allows stakeholders to address the response of the cooperative movement to crisis - financial, food, values. However, it is key to be reminded that cooperatives serve their members needs in both good and bad times whether it be economically, socially and/or culturally. They are not tools to address crisis, but a sustainable form of enterprise that outlives crisis and drives recovery.

Previous Messages from the United Nations Secretary General:

2008: 14th International Day of Cooperatives "Confronting Climate Change through Cooperative Enterprise"
[English] (pdf) [Français] (pdf) [Español] (pdf) [Arabic] (pdf) [Chinese] (pdf) [Russian] (pdf)

2007: 13th International Day of Cooperatives "Cooperative Values and Principles for Corporate Social Responsibility"
[English] [French]

2006: 12th International Day of Cooperatives "Peace-Building through Cooperatives"
[English] [French] [Spanish]

2005: 11th International Day of Cooperatives "Microfinance is OUR business: Cooperating out of poverty"
[English]

2004: 10th UN International Day of Cooperatives "Co-operatives for Fair Globalisation: Creating Opportunities for All"
[English] [French]

2003: 9th UN International Day of Cooperatives "Co-operatives Make Development Happen!: The contribution of co-operatives to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals"
[English] [French]

2002: 8th UN International Day of Cooperatives "Society and Co-operatives: Concern for Community"
[English] [French]

2001: 7th UN International Day of Cooperatives "The Co-operative Advantage in the Third Millennium"
[English]

2000: 6th UN International Day of Cooperatives "Co-operatives and Employment Promotion"
[English]

1999: 5th UN International Day of Cooperatives "Public Policy and Co-operative Legislation"
[English] [French]

1998: 4th UN International Day of Cooperatives "Cooperatives and the Globalization of the Economy"
[English]

1997: 3rd UN International Day of Cooperatives "The Co-operative Contribution to World Food Security"
[English]

1996: 2nd UN International Day of Cooperatives "Co-operative Enterprise: Empowerment for People-centred Sustainable Development"
[English]

1995: 1st UN International Day of Cooperatives "The ICA Centennial and the Next 100 Years of International Co-operation"
[English]

		INTERNATIONAL DAY OF COOPERATIVES 2009: 4 July 2009 Theme:"Driving Global Recovery through Cooperatives" This year's International Day theme focuses on recovery rather than crisis. It aims to highlight the role that cooperatives have in not only promoting economic growth, but also in promoting ethical values - values which have been severely challenged during the financial and food crisis. It underlines that cooperatives can effectively contribute to global economic recovery and that they will do so in respect of the Cooperative Values and Principles which guide their operations. The theme also allows stakeholders to address the response of the cooperative movement to crisis - financial, food, values. However, it is key to be reminded that cooperatives serve their members needs in both good and bad times whether it be economically, socially and/or culturally. They are not tools to address crisis, but a sustainable form of enterprise that outlives crisis and drives recovery.