The theme for the 2018 International Day of Cooperatives (IDC) is “Sustainable consumption and production”, creating an opportunity for cooperatives to show how they run successful businesses while respecting our natural environment and the resources it offers.

The slogan of the Day “Sustainable societies through cooperation” was selected by cooperators from around the world. Through the IDC, local and global policymakers can learn how cooperatives contribute to more sustainable and resilient societies and work towards including cooperatives in policy processes related to sustainability issues.

The 2018 International Day of Cooperatives will be celebrated on the 7th of July.

Cooperatives have sustainability in their DNA, with ‘concern for community’ as the seventh of their guiding principles.

The 2018 IDC theme is aligned with that of the 2018 High-level Political Forum for Sustainable Development (HLPF): “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies”. During the HLPF in July, UN Member States will review progress towards achieving the following Sustainable Development Goals: 6 (clean water and sanitation), 7 (clean and affordable energy), 11 (sustainable cities and communities), 12 (responsible consumption and production) and 15 (life on land).

Cooperatives have two centuries’ experience building sustainable and resilient societies. Agricultural cooperatives work to maintain the longevity of the land where they grow crops through sustainable farming practices. Consumer cooperatives support sustainable sourcing for their products and educate consumers about responsible consumption. Housing cooperatives help ensure safe dwellings. Utility cooperatives are engaged in the transition to cleaner electricity and rural access to energy and water. Worker and social cooperatives aim to provide goods and services in an efficient, planet-friendly way while creating long-term, sustainable jobs.

Learn more about the International Day of Cooperatives.