The UN resolution which proclaimed this International Year invites all Member States to consider taking action towards establishing national mechanisms, such as national committees, to prepare for, observe and follow up on the International Year of Cooperatives.
The mains objectives are to increase public awareness about cooperatives and their contributions to socio-economic development, promote the formation and growth of cooperatives.
The International Year of Cooperatives encourages governments to establish policies, laws and regulations conducive to the formation, growth and stability of cooperatives. The United Nations have also recently revealed the logo of the International Year which features seven persons working together to lift and support a cube.
It evokes the definition of cooperative enterprises as autonomous associations of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, cultural needs and aspirations, through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise.
For more information, please check: http://social.un.org/coopsyear
