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In 2018, the International Day of Cooperatives will be celebrated on the 7th of July.
The theme for the 2018 International Day of Cooperatives (IDC) is “Sustainable consumption and production”, creating an opportunity for cooperatives to show how they run successful businesses while respecting our natural environment and the resources it offers.
The slogan of the Day “Sustainable societies through cooperation” was selected by cooperators from around the world. Through the IDC, local and global policymakers can learn how cooperatives contribute to more sustainable and resilient societies and work towards including cooperatives in policy processes related to sustainability issues.
Why this theme?
Cooperatives with their values, principles and governance structures have sustainability at their core and are different from other economic models in that they do not exploit the planet’s limits. The 2018 IDC theme reflects the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number 12 which is ‘Responsible Consumption and Production’. It is aligned with that of the 2018 High-level Political Forum for Sustainable Development (HLPF): “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies”. During the HLPF in July, UN Member States will review progress towards achieving the following Sustainable Development Goals: 6 (clean water and sanitation), 7 (clean and affordable energy), 11 (sustainable cities and communities), 12 (responsible consumption and production) and 15 (life on land).
Cooperatives have two centuries’ experience building sustainable and resilient societies. Agricultural cooperatives work to maintain the longevity of the land where they grow crops through sustainable farming practices. Consumer cooperatives support sustainable sourcing for their products and educate consumers about responsible consumption. Housing cooperatives help ensure safe dwellings. Utility cooperatives are engaged in the transition to cleaner electricity and rural access to energy and water. Worker and social cooperatives aim to provide goods and services in an efficient, planet-friendly way while creating long-term, sustainable jobs.
Special Event at UN Headquarters in New York
During this celebration of the 2018 International Day of Cooperatives, the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC) and the UN Permanent Mission of Argentina invite UN Ambassadors and government representatives to explore how cooperative enterprises contribute to SDGs 6, 7, 11, 12, 15 and 17 – and in innovative and inclusive ways. In advance of the High-level Political Forum, which will aptly focus on “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies”, this will be an exclusive opportunity to discuss the ways in which to strengthen the impact of cooperatives’ contributions to the 2030 Agenda and to promote their success stories as development actors.
The event on "Sustainable societies through cooperation" will take place on 5 July in conference room 11, at UN Headquarters in New York. In this invitation-only event, guests will engage in an interactive discussion with fellow ambassadors, representatives of COPAC member organizations and cooperators from the field. COPAC will also share Transforming our world: A cooperative 2030, a series of briefs that highlight case studies of cooperatives’ work to achieve the SDGs.
Programme of the event
In its International Day, Cooperatives highlight the path to social justice and environmental sustainability by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA)
Photos of the celebration at UN Headquarters in New York
How are you celebrating it? Spread the Word and Connect with Us!
- Visit our websites at: social.un.org/coops | www.un.org/en/events/cooperativesday/
- Visit our Partner's websites: http://www.copac.coop/ | https://www.ica.coop
- Pledge your cooperative through the www.Coopsfor2030.coop campaign to show its commitment to the SDGs
- Follow us on twitter @UN4Coops | @UNDESASocial and on Facebook at: facebook.com/UNDESASocial
- Use #CoopsDay for all your tweets on the International Day of Cooperatives
- Celebrating #CoopsDay? Planning a special activity? We want to know! Share your case studies showing how Coops build sustainable societies through cooperation! Tweet or email us at ngo@un.org
Resources
COPAC briefs from the Transforming our world: A cooperative 2030 series
Cooperative contributions to SDG 6: This brief focuses on SDG 6 – ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Cooperative contributions to SDG 7: This brief focuses on SDG 15 – ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
Cooperative contributions to SDG 11: This brief focuses on SDG 11 – making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
Cooperative contributions to SDG 12: This brief focuses on SDG 12 – ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Cooperative contributions to SDG 15: This brief focuses on SDG 15 – protecting and restoring land resources.