Let's Co-operate! The International Day of Cooperatives (IDC) was observed on July 7 (first Saturday of July) across the world to promote the co-operative model as it contains core aspects of
sustainable development and is based on ethical values and principles.
- The 2018 theme of the Day was ‘Sustainable societies through cooperation’, aimed at creating sustainable societies through cooperation.
- Co-operatives around world celebrate this day in various fashions and each year the organising institutions agree on a theme for the celebrations.
About International Co-operative Day (IDC):
- IDC is an annual celebration of the co-operative movement.
- It has been observed on first Saturday in July since 1923 by International Co-operative Alliance (ICA).
- It was proclaimed as first Saturday of July by United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) by adopting resolution 47/90 on December 16, 1992 to mark the centenary of establishment of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA).
- Since 1995, United Nations’ International Day of Co-operatives has been observed jointly alongside International Co-operative Day.
About Co-operatives:
- Co-operatives foster external equality as they are community-based and are committed to sustainable development of their communities – environmentally socially and economically.
- Its open membership model affords access to wealth creation and poverty elimination.
- In co-operatives, the main aim of the members is to contribute equitably to, and democratically control the capital of their co-operative.
- Co-operatives Movement has been recognised as distinct and major stakeholder in both national and international affairs.
