Co-op focus on sustainable development
14 Jun 16
The 2016 International Day of Co-operatives will highlight the movement’s contribution to sustainable development.
Themed Co-operatives: The power to act for a sustainable future, the day – celebrated on 2 July – is an opportunity to communicate the value of co-operatives’ unique approach to sustainable economic, social and environmental development, with a specific focus on the role the sector will play in meeting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
The Sustainable Development Goals are to wipe out poverty, fight inequality and injustice and tackle climate change - and co-operatives are key partners for achieving the agenda for Sustainable Development because they:
- Foster democracy and social inclusion and operate with concern for the environment;
- Are sustainable and inclusive businesses;
- Foster job security, decent working conditions and community investment.
The goals are important, world-changing objectives that will themselves require co-operation among governments, international organisations and world leaders.
The international day comes at the end of the UK’s Co-operatives Fortnight, which begins on Saturday 18 June. Co-operatives Fortnight is an opportunity for the movement to explain the advantages of the co-operative business model and to highlight the strength and diversity of the sector to a wider audience.
Launched in 2010, Co-operatives Fortnight has gone from strength to strength. For the second year running, co-ops up and down the country have been organising Big Co-op Clean events. Employees, customers and members will come together to make a positive impact within their local community, such as cleaning up a local park or cleaning out cupboards for food banks.
Secretary General of Co-operatives UK Ed Mayo said: "Co-operatives Fortnight is our annual celebration, a time when co-ops of all kinds come together to demonstrate the benefits of working together and encourage more people to choose co-operative.
"The Big Co-op Clean will see co-ops of all kinds getting stuck in across the UK and, more widely, co-ops will be running events, handing out materials and raising awareness of the sheer breadth of the UK’s dynamic co-operative sector.”