Experts deliberate on the cooperative advantage in building a better world

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Experts deliberate on the Cooperative Advantage in Building a Better World

ECA Press Release 142/2012

Addis Ababa, 04 September 2012 (ECA) – A three-day global forum and workshop on the theme “Harnessing the Cooperative Advantage to Build a Better World” opened today at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) to examine the distinct ways in which the cooperative model promotes individual and collective self-help, contributes to socio-economic development, and strengthens communities around the world.

In her opening message, Ms. Ngone Diop speaking on behalf of Ms. Thokozile Ruzvizdo, Director of the African Centre for Gender and Social Development at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) said, “This Forum is very timely and is a component of the various activities undertaken through out the year to celebrate and promote the cooperative model and also promote capacity for cooperative enterprises”.

She urged participants to come up with focused policy measures and actions that will help to harness the great potential of cooperatives paving the way for equitable growth, poverty reduction and sustainable development.

Ms. Diop was joined by Mr. Alemayehu Gujo, State Minister of Finance and Economic Development of Ethiopia in welcoming the participants.

“The establishment of cooperative unions is a recent phenomenon in the history of cooperatives development in Ethiopia” he remarked. He noted that the country has embarked on an ambitious Growth and Transformation Plan that will lift the country to middle income status by 2020-2023 and stated “Cooperatives are considered as one of the key instrument that will help the country realize the objectives of the Plan.”

Ms. Daniela Bas, Director of the Division for Social Policy and Development, UN DESA in a video message also welcoming the delegates said “Cooperatives and the potential that they represent, are a significant and growing feature of the development strategies promoted by the United Nations and the cooperative model had proven advantages in promoting inclusive, sustainable development.”

Ms. Dame Pauline Green, President of the International Cooperative Alliance also spoke at the opening ceremony about the global cooperative movement.

“We need a cooperative movement that responds to local culture, local needs and is member driven,” Ms. Green said. She noted that the United Nations has given them the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) and that they intend to make the very best use of it and to see the movement grow and flourish across the next ten and twenty years.

Michael Cook, Professor and Robert D. Partridge Chair in Cooperative Leadership in the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, delivered the keynote address.

Mr. Cook emphasized that “The cooperative advantage can be harnessed. And when it is we will see a vibrant, enthusiastic set of cooperative leaders believing in themselves and the advantage of controlling their own destinies through cooperation.”

The event brought together cooperatives, experts, NGOs, Government representatives, donors and international organizations.

The proceedings allow participants to share experiences, and discuss how cooperatives can foster sustainability and help in responding to various challenges at the local, regional and global levels. This contributes to the capacity-building of the participants, as they discuss strategies and best practices for engaging with, and advancing, the cooperative movement.

The outcome of the forum will serve to inform the intergovernmental processes at the United Nations, providing expert opinions in informing the deliberations of Member States, hopefully leading to the formulation of an International Plan of Action on Cooperatives, a proposed outcome of the International Year of Cooperatives.

An initiative of the Division for Social Policy and Development in the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the forum is held in collaboration with the African Centre for Gender and Social Development at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and in consultation with the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives and the Ethiopia IYC National Committee.

The event is a component of the 2012 International Year of Cooperatives, linked to the IYC objective of promoting the formation and growth of cooperatives among individuals and institutions to address common economic needs, and for socio-economic empowerment.

Issued by:

ECA Information and Communication Service P.O. Box 3001

Addis Ababa Ethiopia

Tel: 251 11 5445098 Fax: +251-11-551 03 65 E-mail: ecainfo@uneca.org

Web: www.uneca.org

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3/24/2014 Article - Experts deliberate on the Cooperative Advantage in Building a Better World

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