Aim
The aim of the International Day of Cooperatives declared by the United Nations in 1995 is to increase awareness on cooperatives, highlight the complementarily of the goals and objectives of the United Nations and the international co-operative movement and, underscore the contribution of the movement to the resolution of the major problems addressed by the United Nations. The International Day also aims to strengthen and extend partnerships between the international cooperative movement and other actors, including governments, at local, national and international levels. See more background information >>UN International Day of Cooperatives is celebrated on the same day as the International Cooperative Day which has been celebrated by the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) since 1923.
UN International Day of Cooperatives, 7 July 2012"Cooperative enterprises build a better world" - "Les coopératives, des entreprises pour un monde meilleur" - "Las empresas cooperativas ayudan a construir un mundo mejor"
This year's theme links to the observance of the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives. It seeks to encourage the growth and establishment of cooperatives all over the world, and to recognize the actions of cooperatives in helping to achieve internationally agreed upon development goals, such as the Millennium Development Goals.
Themes and Past Celebrations
COPAC members annually celebrate the United Nations International Day of Cooperatives by making materials available on the theme of the Day.- 2012: Cooperative enterprises build a better world
- 2011: Youth, the future of co-operative enterprise
- 2010: Cooperative enterprise empowers women
- 2009: Driving Global Recovery through Cooperative Enterprise
- 2008: Confronting Climate Change through Cooperative Enterprise
- 2007: Cooperative Values and Principles for Corporate Social Responsibility
- 2006: Peace-Building through Cooperatives
- 2005: Microfinance is OUR business: Cooperating out of poverty
- 2004: Cooperatives for Fair Globalisation: Creating Opportunities for All
- 2003: Cooperatives Make Development Happen!: The contribution of cooperatives to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals
- 2002: Society and Cooperatives: Concern for Community
- 2001: The Cooperative Advantage in the Third Millennium
- 2000: Cooperatives and Employment Promotion
- 1999: Public Policy and Co-operative Legislation
- 1998: Cooperatives and the Globalization of the Economy
- 1997: The Cooperative Contribution to World Food Security
- 1996: " Cooperative Enterprise: Empowerment for People-centred Sustainable Development"
- 1995: The ICA Centennial and the Next 100 Years of International Cooperation