Inauguration Ceremony of Women's Farm Cooperative in Nielle, Côte d'Ivoire. UN Photo/Abdul Fatai Adegboye
At a time when income inequality is rising around the world, it is good to be reminded that solutions to inequality do exist. The co-operative model is foremost among these solutions, since it contains aspects of sustainable development at its core and is based on ethical values and principles.
2018 theme: Sustainable societies through cooperation
On 7 July 2018, members of cooperatives around the world celebrate the International Day of Cooperatives. Through the slogan Sustainable societies through cooperation they will show how, thanks to their values, principles and governance structures, cooperatives have sustainability and resilience at their core, with concern for community as the seventh of their guiding principles.
By their very nature, cooperatives play a triple role:
As economic actors they create opportunities for jobs, livelihoods and income generation
As people-centered enterprises with social goals they contribute to social equity and justice
As democratic institutions, they are controlled by their members, playing a leading role in society and local communities.
http://www.un.org/en/events/cooperativesday/
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