The co-operative opportunity

Peace-Building Through Co-operatives is the theme chosen by the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) for International Co-operatives Day which is celebrated today.

The International Co-operatives Day is celebrated annually by 224 member organisations from 91 countries active in all sectors of the economy, representing more than 800 million individuals worldwide. Its aim is to increase awareness on co-operatives and promote the movement's successes and ideals of international solidarity, economic efficiency, equality, and world peace. The event also aims to strengthen and extend partnerships between the international co-operative movement and other actors, including governments, at local, national and international levels.

ICA first celebrated International Day in 1923. In 1994, the United Nations recognised and reaffirmed that co-operatives have an important role to play in economic, social and cultural development and proclaimed a UN International Day of Co-operatives to be celebrated for the first time in 1995, marking the centenary of the establishment of the ICA. The UN asked all its member governments to urge co-operative movements to celebrate the day.

The European Commission's Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry recognises the role played by co-operative societies as vital to the development of social economy. These "social economy enterprises" are viewed as "significant economic actors" that are helping to meet the demands of a changing Europe.

The UN decision to celebrate an international day with the ICA highlights the complementarity of the goals and objectives of the world organisation and the international co-operative movement. Throughout these years, the ICA included themes such as micro-finance, globalisation and opportunity, the role of co-operatives in development and employment promotion and concern for the community.

Co-operatives around the world celebrate the event in many different ways. The messages of the ICA and UN are translated into local languages and widely disseminated to co-operators, the media, and government officials at all levels. Moreover, co-operatives make extensive use of the media to raise awareness on their movements and contributions. They also organise commercial fairs, exhibitions and meetings with stakeholders and government officials. In many countries, co-operative organisations also partner with community agencies to champion economic, environmental, social and cultural events.

Co-operation can be a very valid contributor to world peace. Co-operatives operate under seven internationally recognised principles, which emphasise democratic and effective member control of the enterprise, autonomy, concern for the community in which co-ops operate, and co-operation between co-operatives. When applied, these principles have a dramatic impact on the people and communities affected. It is in the co-operatives' genes to co-operate, both on a local as well as on an international level. One thing is certain: co-operation works, financially, socially, and economically; both for the individual co-operative members, as well as for the economy in which they operate.

As in previous years, Apex, the organisation of Maltese co-operatives, will be celebrating this event with a half-day seminar for all the council members and managers of its member co-operative societies. Moreover, the seminar also serves as an opportunity for the members to network among themselves and be updated on the latest developments within the movement.

Apex also avails itself of the opportunity to invite strategic partners and stakeholders with which it shares common economic and social goals. This year, Apex is inviting Paula Farrow, from CDS Co-operatives, the largest co-operative housing service agency in London and the South of England. Ms Farrow will be presenting a case study on the theme Co-operation And Common Sense Lead To Successful Growth.

The seminar will learn about the opportunities for co-operative housing and, indeed, the power of co-operation for economic growth and member well-being. This sector is new to Malta, and through Ms Farrow, Apex hopes to start a serious discussion about the possibility of housing co-operatives taking root in Malta.

During the event, Apex will also be officially launching its new website/portal for the Maltese co-operative movement.

The Maltese co-operative movement is made up of 3,500 members in 60 co-operatives, with an annual combined turnover of about Lm25 million. It provides a significant share of fruit and vegetables, Malta's fresh milk and pork, school and tourist transport, port pilots, hospital linen, media, marketing, management and financial consultancy, archaeology and restoration, fair trade and social integration of mentally disabled workers in the workforce.

Apex's efforts in the first half of this year have been very much in keeping with the spirit of this year's international theme. Apex has built excellent relations with the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC) and with Malta Enterprise with which it has participated in various seminars aimed at promoting job creation, gender equality and entrepreneurship. Apex has also succeeded in establishing links with Co-operatives UK and with Legacoop in Italy as well as with the Commonwealth.

The future looks bright for co-operation in Malta. Apex is working hard to make co-operation work in various sectors of the Maltese economy. Co-operatives can truly bring about wealth and economic prosperity with a human face. The opportunities are there. We just need to take them up.

Mr Cassar is Apex's CEO.