CoopsDay: Celebrating the power of the cooperative business model to generate sustainable development
BRUSSELS – The International Cooperative Alliance [ICA] in Friday’s press release has confirmed that the global cooperative movement will tomorrow commemorate the 101st International Day of Cooperatives under the slogan “cooperatives for sustainable development”.
The International Day of Cooperatives [also known as #CoopsDay] marks the moment of the year when cooperators around the world proudly promote and reaffirm their belonging to a global movement that is bringing prosperity to people and communities in a sustainable and democratic way.
Officially recognised by the United Nations since 1995, the International Day of Cooperatives is also a great occasion to claim towards the international community and national governments the key role of cooperatives as partners to accelerate the urgently needed changes to accomplish the Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs]
ICA President, Ariel Guarco, says “We must show that economic growth and prosperity can – and should – go hand-in-hand with decent work, reduced inequality and peace. Let’s take advantage of this 1st July to show the world how we have done it in the past, how we do it in the present, and how we will continue to do so in the future.”
“Cooperatives are, by nature, agents of social and economic transformation. Not only they are driven by values and principles that underpin their community-centered actions, but they build a strong global network of cross-sector cooperative organisations acting at a grassroot level and powered by democratic governance. In our diversity, let’s together show the world what can be achieved through the power of cooperation!”
About the International Day of Cooperatives
Celebrated worldwide for more than a century and officially proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly on the centenary of the ICA in 1995, the International Day of Cooperatives is annually commemorated on the first Saturday of July. The aim of #CoopsDay is to increase awareness of cooperatives.
The event underscores the contributions of the cooperative movement to resolving the major problems addressed by the United Nations and to strengthening and extending the partnerships between the international cooperative movement and other actors.
Since 1995, the ICA and the United Nations, through the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives [COPAC], have jointly set the theme for the celebration of #CoopsDay. This year’s theme is “Cooperatives: partners for accelerated sustainable development” and the celebration will mark the 29th International Day of Cooperatives recognised by the United Nations and the 101st International Cooperative Day.
Through #CoopsDay, local, national, and international policymakers, civil society organisations and the public in general can learn about the contribution of cooperatives to a just and sustainable future for all.
About the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 SDGs, which are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership. They recognise that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.
In September 2023, the international community will mark the mid-point in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and seek ways to accelerate progress in the SDGs. It is thus a real critical moment to demonstrate the contribution of cooperatives to sustainable development
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