UN International Day of Cooperatives Observed Date, Theme, Details, Aim, History

UN: International Day of Cooperatives Observed Date, Theme, Details, Aim, Purpose, History

The United Nations (UN) International Day of Cooperatives is observed every year on the first Saturday of July month around the world.

The UN International Day of Cooperatives-2018, this year is being observed on 7th July 2018 across the globe.

The UN International Day of Cooperatives is celebrated with an aim to increase awareness on cooperatives, as well as strengthen and envisage partnerships between the international cooperative movement and other supporting organisations including governments.

The UN International Day of Cooperatives-2018, the theme is "Sustainable Societies Through Cooperation".

Celebrations

On this day, cooperatives around the world celebrate the International Day of Cooperatives in several ways that include:

The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and the UN translated their messages into local languages for global distribution.

News articles and Radio programs.

Arranging Fairs, exhibits, contests and campaigns focused on the theme related to the day.

Meetings with Government officials, UN agencies, and other partner organisations.

Economic, environmental, social and health challenges (such as tree planting) and sponsored cultural events such as theatres and concerts.

History

Cooperatives are important for the world's economic and social development. Based as on the principle of cooperation, cooperatives help create new ethics and values in business and economics.

In 1895 ICA was formed and since 1927 it observes the first Saturday of July as International Cooperative Day.

In 1994 the United Nations recognized and reaffirmed that cooperatives were vital to the world's economic, social and cultural development.

On 16th December 1992, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) declared the first Saturday of July 1995 as the International Day of Cooperatives, marking the centenary of ICA's establishment.