Cooperatives as Cultural Catalysts: Side Event at UNESCO Mondiacult 2025
BARCELONA, September 19, 2025 — As part of the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development [Mondiacult 2025], the International Cooperative Alliance [ICA], along with the International Organisation of Industrial and Service Cooperatives [CICOPA], Abacus Cooperative, and the Arizmendiarrieta Social Economy Think Tank [ASETT], will host a dedicated side event on September 26, 2025, titled “Cooperatives in Culture for Diversity, Cultural Rights and Decent Work.”
Set against the backdrop of the UN-designated International Year of Cooperatives, the session aims to highlight the critical role of cooperatives in shaping inclusive, sustainable cultural landscapes. With over one billion members globally, cooperatives are uniquely placed to drive cultural rights, diversity, and decent work in the creative sectors.
The highbrid event will focus on three key themes: Cooperatives as inclusive and rights-based cultural enterprises; Education and cooperative identity in promoting cultural literacy; and Global initiatives to map and preserve cooperative cultural heritage
The programme includes opening remarks from leaders such as Maravillas Rojo [Abacus], Ariel Guarco [ICA President], and Simel Esim from the International Labour Oraganisation [ILO], followed by panel discussions featuring cooperative leaders from Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. The final session will look ahead to the post-2030 sustainable development agenda, positioning cooperatives as vital cultural actors in the years to come.
This side event also reinforces the ICA Working Group on Cooperative Cultural Heritage’s mission to embed culture as a key pillar in cooperative development worldwide.
https://thecooperator.news/swedish-cooperative-movement-marks-international-year-of-cooperatives/
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