International Day of Cooperatives

Held on First Saturday of July

According to the the International Co-operative Alliance - Co-operative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise. Cooperatives are based on the co-operative values of - self-help, self-responsibility, democracy and equality, equity and solidarity. The United Nations' (UN) International Day of Cooperatives is observed on the first Saturday of July each year. Some of the day's goals are to increase awareness on cooperatives, as well as strengthen and extend partnerships between the international cooperative movement and other supporting organizations including governments.

History - Cooperatives are important in 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. The International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) is a non-governmental co-operative federation. It is also co-operative union representing co-operatives and the co-operative movement worldwide. It was founded in 1895 as a result of actions by Edward Vansittart Neale and the Christian Socialists. 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 in the world's economic, social and cultural development. The UN General Assembly (under resolution 47/90 of 16th December 1992) proclaimed the first Saturday of July 1995 as the International Day of Cooperatives, marking the centenary of ICA's establishment.

Events - Cooperatives around the world celebrate the International Day of Cooperatives in many ways. Activities include: messages from the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and the UN translated into local languages for worldwide distribution; news articles and radio programs publicizing the awareness of the day; fairs, exhibits, contests and campaigns focused on the topics related to the day; meetings with government officials, UN agencies and other partner organizations; economic, environmental, social and health challenges (such as tree planting); and sponsored cultural events such as theatres and concerts.

Symbols - Promotional material used to publicize the day included images featuring an array of colours similar to those of a rainbow. These colours are linked with those that are used by ICA, which, together with the UN and other organizations, plays a big role in promoting and coordinating events for the day.

Alternate Name - United Nations' (UN) International Day of Cooperatives.

Holiday Status - It is not a public holiday.