Welcome to the United Nations
This year's theme "Youth, the future of co-operative enterprise" links to the observance of the United Nations International Year of Youth. It addresses the need for all cooperative stakeholders to promote the participation of young people in the cooperative movement.
The International Day of Cooperatives addresses the need for all cooperative stakeholders to promote the participation of young people in the cooperative movement. Too often young people are not aware of the cooperative model of enterprise - they do not learn about cooperatives in school as cooperatives often do not figure in school curricula. Young people also may not do not realize that the products and services that they use are provided by cooperatives.
Yet, cooperatives provide young people opportunities that address their practical and strategic needs.
- They offer them a model of enterprise to to create their own businesses.
- They offer the opportunities to be employed with enteprises that address young people's concerns for more democratic, responsible and ethical business operations.
Cooperatives provide opportunities to young people to gain professional employment experience, to further their education and provide capacity building, encourage participation in decision-making in cooperatives or form their own co-operatives.
Message of the United Nations Secretary-General (English)
Message from the International Co-operative Alliance ICA (English)
Message from the International Labour Office (ILO) (English)
Message from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (English)
Partners