Today on 1 July, the cooperative movement commemorates the 101st International Day of Cooperatives under the slogan “cooperatives for sustainable development”.
Officially recognized by the United Nations since 1995, the International Day of Cooperatives (also known as Coops Day) is 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), says the global apex body of cooperatives International Cooperative Alliance ICA.
As 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, says Gaurco.
In our diversity, let’s together show the world what can be achieved through the power of cooperation!
Watch the Video
