2012 International Year of Cooperatives

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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 International Year of Cooperatives has three main objectives:

1. Increase awareness:
   increase public awareness about cooperatives and their contributions to socio-economic development and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals
2. Promote growth:
   Promote the formation and growth of co-operatives among individuals and institutions to address common economic needs and for socio-economic empowerment
3. Establish appropriate policies:
   Encourage Governments and regulatory bodies to establish policies, laws and regulation conducive to co-operative formation and growth.

By raising awareness about cooperatives, the Year will help to encourage support and development of cooperative enterprises by individuals and their communities.