2012
United Nations International Year of Co-operatives
"Co-operative enterprises build a better world"

The United Nations proclaimed 2012 as the International Year of Co-operatives (IYC) in December 2009.

The IYC aims at raising awareness on the socio-economic impact of co-operatives, and for promoting the autonomous formation and growth of co-operatives.

 Increase public awareness about co-operatives, how they benefit their members and contribute to socioeconomic development and the achievement of Millennium Development Goals;

 Promote awareness of the global network of co-operatives and their efforts in community building, democracy and peace;

 Promote the formation and growth of co-operatives among individuals and institutions to address common economic needs and for socio-economic empowerment;

 Encourage Governments and regulatory bodies to establish policies, laws and regulation conducive to co-operative formation and growth.

Who is planning the International Year?

The Year will be planned by the United Nations (UN) in close collaboration with the members of the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC) of which ICA is the chair.

ICA has set up an ICA Working Group on International Year of Co-operatives whose objective is to provide strategic guidance on the planning and celebration of the International Year of Co-operatives. It will assist in setting out strategic goals, provide input to the ICA plan of action as well as the UN implementation plan and evaluation of the Year. It was officially formed in May 2010.

International Years are generally celebrated at the national level with celebrations co-ordinated by a National Committee. The UN has contacted its member states (governments) and invited them to set up national committees. The UN has encouraged national committees to bring together all interested parties including co-operatives, but open to all interested parties such as media, development agencies, non-governmental organisations, trade unions and employer organisations, educational institutions and other stakeholders. The national committees plan and co-ordinate events in their respective countries and provide a report on planned activities to the United Nations. The activity plan will be included in a UN report to be prepared in 2011 and so planning is now underway.

A number of governments have already indicated that they are interested in celebrating IYC and will establish a national committee. They have also designated focal points. The United Nations will soon make information available on how to contact focal points in each country. Those interested in celebrating IYC are encouraged to participate in national committees to build new partnerships and dialogue among a wide range of co-operative stakeholders.

At the international level, the United Nations and its agencies are in the planning stages on how they will celebrate the year with international and regional events, programmes, projects and initiatives. The ICA is also working with partners to identify and organise international events which will raise the profile of co-operatives within international institutions in particular and attract international media attention. It will also produce and make available communication materials on co-operatives to assist members and others.

The UN and the ICA invites everyone to celebrate International Year of Co-operatives

What kind of activities are appropriate for celebrating IYC?

The International Year of Co-operatives is a unique opportunity to celebrate co-operatives. Activities can include conferences, seminars, workshops, publications, media events, preparation of films, video series, radio programmes and others. It can also focus on initiating a change in policies requiring short and long-term lobbying campaigns, undertaking research, collecting statistics, and working with authorities at all levels. IYC also provide s opportunities to develop new relationships and partnerships with institutions, development partners, citizen groups, and other business enterprises. It can be the year where co-operative foundations or support programmes and funds are launched. International Year of Co-operatives should also reach out to the public - and so commemorative stamps, coins, and events able to introduce various groups of people to co-operatives through sporting events, concerts, fairs, etc.

IYC is an opportunity. Be creative on how best to ensure that co-operatives are better known, are able to operate and grow in a fair environment and are recognised as being an important but different type of business model.

The ICA Board reviewed a proposal of the types of activities that could be taken by the ICA, its members and other co-operative organisations. The document is a work in progress and provides some ideas of initatives that could be undertaken.

Co-operatives and their organisations are encouraged to plan events or initiatives for 2012 and share their planning so that we can show the wide scope of activities that will be organised around the world. An on-line facility to allow co-operatives and other stakeholders to share plans, tentative events or ideas for celebrations will shortly be available and will be known as the IYC calendar. In the meantime please send information to Maria Elena Chavez Hertig, ICA Deputy Director-General who is coordinating planning for IYC - E-mail: chavez@ica.coop.

Is there a logo or slogan for the International Year of Cooperatives?

The UN and COPAC are currently deciding on a slogan and once agreed will develop a logo. All stakeholders will be encouraged to use the logo and slogan in the celebration of the Year. ICA would encourage co-operatives to make the logo known by using it widely on all their communication materials. The slogan should also be widely used to have a consistent and common message.

Are there funds available to support events organised for IYC?

UN International Years at the outset do have a specific budget allocated to them to support activities. The UN will seek donations and partners to help defray the cost of activities that they organise or support. Governments may make available support at the national level to help support activities undertaken in their countries. Co-operatives and other stakeholder may also wish to fund their own activities or seek partnership funding from donor agencies, foundations and others.