International Year of the Cooperative
“Cooperatives are a reminder to the international community that it is possible to pursue both economic viability and social responsibility.”
-United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
2012 has been designated International Year of Cooperatives. The action promises to spur a year-long celebration of the seven cooperative principles and the people who make them possible.
More than 1 billion people worldwide belong to some type of co-op, and even more support co-ops by buying products produced by farmer-owned cooperatives like Sunkist, Blue Diamond, Ocean Spray, and Land O’ Lakes.
The International Year of Cooperative 2012 theme, “Cooperative Enterprises Build a Better World,” can be clearly seen in efforts like NRECA International Programs. Under its auspices, electric cooperatives have helped increase agricultural productivity, create millions of new jobs, and enhance the rural quality of life for more than 100 million people in 40-plus nationssince 1962.
The year-long celebration focuses on establishing “legacy programs” to foster “Cooperation Among Cooperatives”—the Sixth Cooperative Principle. In addition to legacy programs, a national steering committee formed by NCBA has set a number of goals for 2012:
- Raise the profile of cooperatives so more Americans understand the value of being a member of a cooperative as well as doing business with them.
- Make it easier for people to find co-ops.
- Educate and engage government and business leaders.
- Support studies demonstrating the economic benefits and value of cooperatives.
- Reach out to youth to cultivate the next generation of co-op leaders.
“The cooperative model of free enterprise is the best because it creates jobs and sustainable businesses and provides people-centered solutions to today’s economic issues,” explains English. “We must seize on the opportunity provided by International Year of Cooperatives 2012 to build this awareness across the country and around the globe.”
To learn more about International Year of Cooperatives 2012 and to get ideas on how you can celebrate, visit www.2012.coop or www.ncba.coop/2012.
