International Year Of

COOPERATIVES 2012
Welcome to the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC). Here you will find information on events planned throughout the year, as well as suggestions on how to get involved and participate. International years are declared by the United Nations to draw attention to and encourage action on major issues. The International Year of Cooperatives is intended to raise public awareness of the invaluable contributions of cooperative enterprises to poverty reduction, employment generation and social integration. The Year will also highlight the strengths of the cooperative business model as an alternative means of doing business and furthering socioeconomic development.

International Year of

COOPERATIVES 2012
The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives, highlighting the contribution of cooperatives to socio-economic development,particularly their impact on poverty reduction, employment generation and social integration. With the theme of Cooperative Enterprises Build a Better World,the Year seeks to encourage the growth and establishment of cooperatives all over the world. It also encourages individuals,communities and governments to recognize the agency of cooperatives in helping to achieve internationally agreed upon development goals, such as the Millennium Development GoalsThe United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/64/136 encourages all member States, the United Nations and all relevant stakeholders to take advantage of the IYC to promote cooperatives and raise awareness of their contribution to social and economic development and promote the formation and growth of cooperatives. The resolution A/RES/64/136- Proclamation of 2012 as International Year of Cooperatives is available in all UN six official languages: English | Franais | Espaol | | |

International Year Of COOPERATIVES 2012

About Cooperatives

International Year Of COOPERATIVES 2012

International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) Activities
Panel Discussion on A better life for women in the 21st Century: The Positive Impact of Cooperatives on Rural Women and Girls in Poverty eradication in Post-Conflict Zones at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, 8 March 2012 Panel Discussion on Unleashing Rural Womens Voice to End Hunger and Poverty at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, 2 March 2012 Panel Discussion on Rural Women: Are We Delivering on Our Commitments? at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, 1 March 2012 Panel Discussion on Youth Employment through Entrepreneurship: the Role of Cooperatives at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, 2 February 2012

International Year Of

COOPERATIVES 2012
The Official Logo of the International Year of Cooperatives

The logo for the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) is based on the slogan for the year, which is "Cooperative Enterprises Build a Better World." The logo of IYC 2012 evokes the definition of cooperative enterprises as autonomous associations of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations, through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise

International Year Of COOPERATIVES 2012

Resources
UN Documentation UN Reports UN Resolution Key Organizations International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) The International Cooperative Alliance is an independent, non-governmental organisation which unites, represents and serves cooperatives around the world. World Council of Credit Unions WOCCU is the global trade association and development agency for credit unions. Publications Project Design Manual, a step-by-step tool to Support the Development of Cooperatives and Other Forms of Self-Help Organizations Resilience of the Cooperative Business Model in Times of Crisis

International Year Of COOPERATIVES 2012

Get Involved
The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives, highlighting the contribution of cooperatives to socio-economic development, particularly their impact on poverty reduction, employment generation and social integration. IWith the theme of Cooperative Enterprises Build a Better World, the Year seeks to encourage the growth and establishment of cooperatives all over the world. It also encourages individuals, communities and governments to recognize the agency of cooperatives in helping to achieve internationally agreed upon development goals, such as the Millennium Development Goals

International Year Of COOPERATIVES 2012

Co-operatives are a reminder to the international community that it is possible to pursue both economic viability and social responsibility. - Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General