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New co-op act in US to build economy, co-op centre
The US government took a step towards improving its economy with the introduction of new legislation to encourage growth of co-operatives.
The National Co-operative Development Act will see a co-operative development centre built. This is part of a strategy to stimulate local economies through encouraging new co-operatives to form, boosting spending and bringing jobs to local centres. read more
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Majority of exhibition space taken for ICA Expo
The opportunity to take a stand in the ICA Expo, which is one of the closing events of the UN International Year of Co-operatives, is rapidly closing.
The global trade fair for co-operatives is more than 80 per cent filled with nations and co-operatives from around the globe. France, Argentina and Chile are among those countries which have booked space to exhibit. ICA Expo president Luiz Branco attributed the strong bookings in Cancun to general renewed interest in co-operatives, the UN International Year and the attractiveness of the venue in Manchester.read more
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More countries launch 2012 celebration
Co-operators in Canada, Equador, South Korea, Portugal and the UK launched the UN International Year of Co-operatives on January 12.
It was the beginning of a productive month for the co-operative movement in the UK. Days after the launch of the international year, the nation's deputy leader Nick Clegg went public with his support for the benefits of a "John Lewis" economy, in reference to the co-operative UK department store. read more
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This is our moment - make the most of it
"2012 must be the year that the co-operative message goes viral" – these were the words of Obama’s Blogger-in-chief Sam Graham-Felson as he addressed the ICA’s General Assembly last November. He urged delegates to take the opportunity that the International Year presented and go for it online, writes Alex Baker, the ICA's IYC e-manager.
read more
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Can you help victims of Cyclone Thane?
Cyclone Thane ripped into the Tamil Nadu coast in south eastern India on December 30. By New Year's Eve its violent journey through the districts of Puducherry and Cuddalore had left 48 people dead and 15,000 families affected. Families were forced to evacuate to shelters in Puducherry and Cuddalore. Damage to local roads meant that rescue workers were unable to immediately access victims. Fishing along the coast was halted and an estimated 10,000 boats were moved to safety. read more
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ICA YouTube channel goes live
From Dame Pauline Green's inspirational words to global media figures elaborating on the benefits of co-operatives, videos on every aspect of the co-operative movement can be found on ICA's new, dedicated channel.
The channel has been set up on Youtube and hosts not only speeches given by prominent individuals in the co-operative movement, but also campaign videos and interviews with co-operative leaders. Watch our latest film where individual co-operators talk about the benefits of the UN International Year of Co-operatives and International Co-operative Alliance membership. read more
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Calling future leaders of the co-operative movement
Co-operators between the ages of 25 and 30 are being encouraged to apply for a Future Co-operative Leaders Program. From October 8-11 2012, co-operators from around the world will converge in Quebec City for the 2012 International Summit of Co-operatives. During these four days, the movement’s leading managers, directors, thinkers and policy makers will discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by cooperatives as they look towards the future. This conversation would not be complete without the movement’s future torch-bearers, those employees and directors aged between 25 and 30. read more
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Wear your IYC badge with pride!
The ICA Board's main aim for the International Year of Co-operatives is to raise public awareness of the co-operative business model. An easy way for co-operators to do this is to order the International Co-operative Alliance’s official merchandise for the international year - this could save you time and money. The range includes everything from pens, badges, tshirts, umbrellas and mugs, to display stands and building banners. read more
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Haiti receives funds from ICA appeal
The catastrophic earthquake which hit Haiti on January 12 two years ago left 316,000 people dead, 300,000 injured and about one million people homeless.
Parliament House was destroyed, along with other public buildings and works and the opposition leader Micha Gaillard was killed. read more
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ACI Americas behind more commemorative stamps
Argentina has joined those countries which have produced stamps for the UN International Year of Co-operatives.
The ICA's Americas branch - ACI Americas - is involved in the production of several stamp products and postage packets which are branded with the official international year logo from the UN. read more
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Co-operatives to feature in EU "phonebook"
The European Commission has embarked on a mapping exercise which will provide facts and figures to European Union staff on civil society organisation, including co-operatives. It is conceived as a reference document for future relations with civil society organisations. This tool – a stakeholder matrix – will provide facts and figures on key networks, and it will dedicate an entire chapter to the co-operative movement, featuring contacts and descriptions of ICA’s regional offices and member organisations. read more
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Practical M&A recommendations from Euro Coop
Economic pressure and commercial realities are prompting the consolidation of the consumer co-operative sector, according to a new report by Euro Coop.
"In order to guarantee the continued existence of consumer co-operatives in a changing economic environment, the co-operative movement has steadily been concentrating its efforts over the years on consolidating its position in the market, by merging existing consumer co-operatives into fewer and fewer societies.read more
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Child finance summit to be held in Amsterdam
The Child and Youth Finance International Annual Summit & Awards ceremony will be the first event to bring together children, youth, and senior level representatives from across various sectors on the topic of financial inclusion and education for children and youth.
The Summit will allow thought leaders and international experts to share commitments, efforts and innovations for furthering child friendly financial inclusion and education to 100 million children in 100 countries by 2015. read more
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Co-operative ministers conference in Thailand
Co-operative ministers will gather in Bangkok, Thailand for the 9th ICA-AP Cooperative Ministers Conference 27th February to the 1st March.
The event is hosted by the government of Kingdom of Thailand.
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The ICA welcomes CNU to its ranks
Central Nacional Unimed - Cooperativa Central (CNU) has joined the ICA. CNU is a national federation that was created by doctors. It has a network of doctors and hospitals as well as being a provider of health insurance. It also provides specified healthcare services in Brazilian states where it is not provided by the government. Its doctors and staff strive for excellence in medical care, quality of life for costumers, and assist their members while preserving the co-operative principles. http://www.centralnacionalunimed.com.br/
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To our eDigest readers, our apologies
Due to technical challenges at the ICA some co-operators might not have received the January eDigest. We are very sorry. To see all previous editions please visit our website http://www.2012.coop/en/media/news
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