|
Co-operative solidarity wins results
Poland is a huge country in the centre of Europe. There are 38 million inhabitants of which eight million are members of co-operatives. After the political transformation in the early 1990s, the Polish co-operative movement was considered by the new political parties as a relic of the communist era and left to be eradicated. In the years of 1990 – 2011, subsequent Polish governments and Polish MPs tried to pass harmful legal acts without any consultation with the movement.
read more
|
|
A unique opportunity for co-op brand management
In the increasingly competitive and globalized market nowadays, brand management has become a prominent element of success for both private and co-operative enterprises. The UN 2012 International Year of Co-operatives, mobilizing national and international resources to recognize co-operative value in human society, create an exceptional opportunity to upgrade the co-operative brand. With more exposure of co-operatives in public news, appropriately timed advertisement means less investment with more returns. In such a context, we recommend two strategies of brand marketing should be considered by co-operators, write ICA board member Li Chunsheng
read more
|
|
Major advances in co-ops occur in troubled times
The International Year of Co-operatives comes at a very exciting and interesting time. Political and economic changes are lining up to call attention to the need for co-ops, complementing the United Nation’s selection of co-ops as its theme for 2012. The UN probably didn’t envision the year leading up to the International Year of Co-operatives as one of continued financial turmoil and growing political unrest from the Arab Spring to Occupy Wall Street. But here we are. ICA board member and NCBA chief executive Paul Hazen makes some predictions for the year.
read more
|
|
A story of success
The vegetable oil industry in Iran is unstable especially regarding the provision of raw materials. Only 10 percent of the required vegetable oil in the country is produced locally and the rest is imported. read more
|
|
Use 2012 to raise profile, extend trading footprint
The London Olympics will not be the only event during 2012 which brings together and unites all corners of the globe. With the United Nations also designating 2012 as the International Year of Co-operatives (IYC) there is a great opportunity for our unique business model to be showcased across the world.
Against the backdrop of communities left picking up the pieces of a global recession, we must seize this opportunity to put forward the compelling case for co-operation. Of course it is important that we celebrate the year, but it is equally important that we use it to significantly raise our profile, increase our trading footprint and build in the process, a sustainable path for future generations of co-operators.
read more
|
|
New legislation for credit co-ops in Singapore
Up until 2008, credit co-operatives were self regulated. The turning point was when the financial crisis hit the world and Singapore was not spared. The crisis highlighted the importance and complexities of the financial markets and governance issues. Subsequently, legislation was introduced to regulate credit cooperatives and amendments to the Co-operative Act was eventually passed in Parliament. read more
|
|
The co-operative advantage in fighting poverty
Billions of people live under subsistence level. Millions die of poverty. The gaps between countries are growing. The United Nations have agreed about the Millennium Development Goals and to work for a radical reduction in poverty by the year 2015.
The Swedish Cooperative Centre ( SCC ) was founded in 1958 with the intention of expressing its solidarity from the simple idea of helping poor people to improve their lives. SCC is today one of the most important development agencies in Sweden.
read more
|
|
Co-operatives work in times of financial paralysis
The global co-operative movement has not only survived in the twentieth century but also has proven effective in times of major financial crises. Studies of experiences from different countries tell us that co-operatives have played an important role in economies, working with more emphasis when the financial world was paralyzed in more developed countries.
The International Year of Co-operatives 2012 is a clear tribute to the work of thousands of people, associated with collective enterprises, which have and will continue contributing to their communities to enhance our quality of life. read more
|
|
Russian consumer co-operation celebrates 180 years
In November 2011 the Russian Co-operative Forum was held, devoted to the 180 anniversary of Consumer Co-operation in Russia; it had demonstrated the significant and important role of the co-operative movement in the process of the State development. Among the distinguished guest was Viktor Zubkov – the First Deputy of the Russian Prime-Minister, the representatives of the Russian parliament as well as other internal and foreign public and social representatives.
read more
|
|
2012 is an important year for French co-ops
The International Year of Cooperatives is a very important event for the French co-operative movement, whose importance, both globally and in some sectors, is fully illustrated by the recent Global 300. Please read more here of the original message.
|
|
IYC book and poster on 2012 site
In UN International Year of Co-operatives the ICA has come up with a range of tools with which you can help spread awareness of the co-operative movement.
There is a poster which can be purchased - the image is the winning entry of an art competition hosted by the ICA.
The winner of the ICA's competition was Collage-No, a co-operative design agency based in Valencia, Spain.
And, appropriately, the winning design was produced in a co-operative way. read more
|
|
A collection of wishes for the New Year
A collection of the world's most influential co-operators record their messages here.
Read what Desjardins' Anne Gaboury and Monique Leroux have to say. Hear about 2012 and the international year from the head of the National Co-operative Business Association in Washington D.C. Paul Hazen, hear from Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-ops UK and CCA president Claude Gauthier, amongst many others.
|
|
Get your entries in for the Coop'Art competition
The starting bell has rung for the Coop’Art competition. The ICA is seeking video, music and photographic entries for its youth competition in 2012.
“We need help from ICA members to promote the competition in their websites, newsletters and all other communication tools ,” says the competition organiser, Rodrigo Gouveia, the Secretary-General of Euro Coop. read more
|
|
Quebec sends seasonal greetings and invites attendance
The team at the 2012 International Summit of Co-operatives sends its holiday greetings.
Download PDF
|
|
ICA member ranks swell with the addition of four members
The ICA's membership continues to grow rapidly, with the inclusion of four new members before the end of 2011. The ICA welcomes the following members: read more
|
