The official closing of the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives,"Promoting Co-operatives Beyond 2012" took place at the UN Headquarters in New York on November 19-20.

The two-day event highlighted major outcomes of various activities throughout the International Year, as well as future initiatives to strengthen the co-operative movement beyond 2012.

The program consisted of a series of panel discussions addressing the role of co-operatives in increasing food security, youth involvement in co-ops, and policy and research directions, as well as an official closing ceremony, reports from national committees and a short film festival.

This month's 2012 Matters brings you news from New York. Keep reading for updates!

Some of the Canadians in attendance at the United Nations closing ceremonies for IYC. Left to right: Marco Plourde, Denyse Guy, Michaël Béland, Jamie Felsch, Tanya Gracie, Allison Barter, Duane Nicol.

As the International Year of Co-operatives comes to an end, Canadian co-operators had the opportunity to celebrate Canada's success in 2012 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from November 19-20.

At least ten Canadians travelled to New York for the two-day ceremony, themed "Promoting Co-operatives Beyond 2012." The event focused on how the International Year could lead to a co-operative decade through two key areas: strengthening the co-op movement's engagement with youth and improving global food security through agricultural co-operatives.

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In a statement read at the closing ceremony of the International Year, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon emphasized the importance of engaging with young people to drive the co-op movement forward.

His message also underlined the movement's ability to empower people, enhance human dignity and help the UN achieve its Millennium Development Goals.

"We know there continues to be a hunger for policies and approaches that address social and economic goals that go beyond a one-dimensional bottom line," he said. "By emphasizing core values, co-operatives help advance a vision that embraces social objectives into the business model."

Dame Pauline Green, president of the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA), declared a new era open for co-operatives during a panel discussion at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on November 19.

In her speech, the ICA president described the co-op model as a key to tackling economic crisis, food insecurity and unemployment.

"At this moment, it is co-operative enterprises that are so often the lynchpin of the real economy, keeping life going for so many at grass roots level in economies under stress," she said. "Co-operatives can bring transformational change to the way business is conducted."

Dame Pauline spoke on a panel about global food security on November 19, before delivering the ICA's Blueprint for a Co-operative Decade to UN delegates on November 20.

The ICA's blueprint represents a global strategy to position co-operatives as the fastest growing business model by 2020. It was approved in principle by delegates of the ICA Extraordinary General Assembly in Manchester on October 31.

"There is no question that co-operatives have demonstrated their model of business is stable, sustainable and people-centred in what have been the most difficult global economic circumstances I have witnessed in my lifetime," Dame Pauline said in a press release.

She ended her speech at the UN by saying co-operators have the power to work with the UN and its agencies to leverage the infrastructure and resources needed to promote co-operatives as an answer to tough socio-economic challenges being felt around the world.

Download the Blueprint for a Co-operative decade at s.coop/blueprint.

Jamie Felsch was one of three youth representatives for CCA at the UN.

Engaging youth was a key focus of the United Nations closing ceremonies for the International Year in New York on November 19-20.

Young leaders developed and presented an International Cooperative Youth Statement, which will inform policy dialogues and be considered in formulating an international action plan on co-operative development beyond 2012 for the UN. A copy of the statement will be posted on www.canada2012.coop when it is available.

CCA was fortunate to have three youth representatives attend the closing ceremonies: Tanya Gracie, CCA's manager of the International Year; Allison Barter, a member of CCA's National Young Co-operators; and Jamie Felsch, who participated in You-LEAD, CCA's educational pilot project in Ghana, this past summer.

Monique Leroux, president and CEO of Desjardins Group, delivered the keynote speech at a forum on engaging, empowering and employing youth in co-operatives on November 19. She encouraged young people across the world to "dream big" and stressed the importance of involving youth as the movement embarks on a decade of co-operative growth.

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The Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada (CHF Canada) was one of seven award winners at the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives Short Film Festival in New York on November 20.

The UN held the competition searching for the best short films about co-operatives. CHF Canada's video was chosen for raising awareness about what housing co-ops are and what they do, and for encouraging the support and development of co-operative enterprises by individuals and their communities.

The video, entitled "Co-operative Housing: more than a home" features co-op members across Canada giving examples of housing co-ops transforming neighbourhoods and improving people's lives. CHF Canada commissioned the video from Novel Pictures to commemorate the International Year.

"2012 allowed us to demonstrate the advantages of the co-op model when many are looking for alternatives," said Nicholas Gazzard, executive director of CHF Canada, in a video message accepting the award. He thanked the UN for giving co-operators the International Year as an opportunity to promote co-ops.

Visit s.coop/morethanahome to watch the video.

Other winners

What's to love about food co-ops? A film about the impact of retail food co-operatives in the United States, produced by the National Cooperative Grocers Association.

Cooperatives of Apurimac A documentary about a co-operative of alpaca herders in Peru, produced and directed by Miko Meloni.

Women with courage A documentary about a women's artisan co-op in Brazil, produced by Charlotte Marchesseault.

Food For Change: The Twin Cities Story A depiction of food co-ops in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region of Minnesota, an area with the greatest concentration of food co-ops in the United States. (Produced by Steve Alves)

Red Chillies Tells the story of woman involvement in agricultural co-operatives in Sri Lanka, produced by CCA international development partner, Sanasa Development Bank.

Cooperative Enterprises Build a Better World by meeting Human Need not Human Greed The Co-operative Development Division of Trinidad and Tobago, a division of the Ministry of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise Development, produced an energetic IYC theme song and music video. This short film follows co-op members as they take part in the filming and the launch of the video.

Two United Nations agencies have released statements supporting co-operatives as a means to reduce youth unemployment.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) released their statements during the closing ceremonies of the International Year in New York on November 19-20.

"A better future for young people - what co-ops can offer" from the ILO, and "Youth: the future of agricultural cooperatives" from the FAO, both talk about the positive impacts of and challenges faced when involving youth in co-operative organizations.

Download the statement from the ILO

Download the statement from the FAO

Monique Leroux, president and CEO of Desjardins Group, presented the official Declaration of the 2012 International Summit of Cooperatives to the United Nations on November 20.

"The declaration is a testament to the strength, resilience and importance of co-operatives in our economies," Leroux said.

The declaration was created with the participation of conference attendees and adopted by the 2012 Summit's three co-hosts - the International Co-operative Alliance, St. Mary's University and Desjardins Group. It acknowledges the important contribution that co-operatives make to the socio-economic well-being of people and communities, and identifies major challenges faced by the global co-operative movement.

Click here to download a copy.

The Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada (CDF) received two significant credit union contributions to its $12 million Build a Better World Campaign, launched in honour of the International Year.

Servus Credit Union, Alberta's largest credit union, has pledged $100,000 to the campaign over a three year period. Affinity Credit Union has committed $80,000 over four years.

"Co-operatives and credit unions have proven to be effective tools to help poor people improve their lot in life, and the Canadian Co-operative Association is a world leader in developing and supporting co-operatives and credit unions that serve the poor," said Michael Barrett, chair of CDF.

• Learn more about Servus Credit Union's donation to CDF
• Learn more about Affinity Credit Union's donation to CDF

The Build a Better World Campaign was launched in March 2012 with the goal of raising $12 million to support CCA's international development work in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

To learn more about the campaign, visit www.cdfcanada.coop. 

Keep the IYC theme alive and visible next year with CCA's new 2013 calendar, entitled "CCA volunteers building a better world."

All the high quality photographs featured were taken by CCA volunteers on overseas assignments.

Here are five great reasons to purchase a CCA calendar:

1. It makes a great holiday gift for colleagues, friends and family.
2. It features stunning and beautiful photos taken by Canadian co-operators.
3. The CCA 2013 calendar is made from 50 per cent post-consumer waste and is FSC-certified.
4. Inspiring quotes are featured each month, as well as special UN dates, descriptions of each photo, and an informative centre spread with photos of the volunteers.
5. The calendar makes for a great conversation starter on how Canadian co-operators and international development partners are turning poverty into prosperity through co-operative action.

The calendars cost only $1 each (plus taxes and shipping). Order yours today!

Contact David Shanks at david.shanks@coopscanada.coop. (Minimum order of 5)

Co-operators from Nova Scotia and other parts of Canada are meeting at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax from November 22-24 to mark the end of the International Year of Co-operatives.

Co-operating to Build a Better Nova Scotia is a provincial conference that brings together co-ops, credit unions, social enterprises, researchers, academics, government, students, youth and business service providers.

But the conference isn't focused on simply closing the International Year. In fact, organizers are hoping that participants will be inspired to look towards the future of co-operatives in the province.

Three core themes are being explored:

• Living the co-operative principles to preserve and strengthen the co-operative difference.
• The role of Nova Scotia co-operatives on a global scale, in 2012 and beyond.
• Policy that fosters co-operation to create a healthy and diverse co-operative landscape, full of innovation and development.

To connect the conference to the wider co-operative movement and the broader public, Ryakuga, a grassroots communications company, is hosting a simulcast of the event on the radio and online. Visit www.ryakuga.ca for more information about the radio broadcast and webcast.

The University of Winnipeg's Faculty of Business and Economics has created a position unique in Canada and a first in Manitoba: a Chair in Co-operative Enterprises aimed at strengthening the co-op movement and developing socially responsible entrepreneurs.

The new position is being launched with a total of $625,000 from the Manitoba government, the co-op sector and the University of Winnipeg.

"Co-ops provide a wide range of important products and services that help build communities by creating jobs," said Kerri Irvin-Ross, minister of Housing and Community Development for Manitoba and the minister responsible for co-operative development.

The creation of the chair is a partnership between six co-op organizations, the Government of Manitoba and the university. The province invested $250,000 into the project, with the following co-op sector contributions:

• Federated Co-operatives Limited $100,000
• The Co-operators $100,000
• Credit Union Central of Manitoba $100,000
• Assiniboine Credit Union $25,000
• Arctic Co-operatives Limited $25,000
• Red River Co-operative $25,000

A new song and documentary were released in Prince Edward Island to celebrate Co-op Week last month.

The feature-length documentary "Building a Better World: A Co-operative History of PEI" was released by the Prince Edward Island Co-operative Council (PEICC) on October 16. The video explains the role co-ops have played in Prince Edward Island over the last 150 years. A clip of the documentary can be seen at s.coop/peicoophistory.

The same day, PEICC released the song "So Go These Threads," which was commissioned from songwriter and poet Tanya Davis.

"The thinking was to have something very unique created that transcended a literal discussion of the value of co-operatives and move directly into the area of the themes and spirit of co-operation," said Todd MacEwen, communications director for PEICC. "What Tanya has crafted is incredibly beautiful, weaving together images of nature, history and community, which are all integral to the co-operative idea, and beyond that, I think anyone who listens to the song and reads the lyrics will find something very inspirational."

You can stream "So Go These Threads" on the PEICC website, www.peicc.coop.

Nunavut's Minister of Economic Development and Transportation says co-ops are "true community builders" and leaders in increasing local capacity in Canada's northern communities.

"Co-ops in the north are also leaders in the development of programs," the Hon. Peter Taptuna said, referring to director leadership program, an employee development program, and a financial education program for co-op members as examples.

The minister made his comments during a statement to mark the International Year of Co-operatives in Nunavut's legislative assembly. He encouraged members to become more actively involved in their co-ops.

According to Arctic Co-operatives Limited, co-ops in Nunavut have invested more than $45 million in community assets over the past 10 years. Minister Taptuna referred to the fact that Nunavut's co-op system employs over 700 people and provides important services, such as retail stores, hotels, cable television and fuel.

Download the full statement at s.coop/ministertaptunaiyc.

Conexus Credit Union and Southland Co-op joined together to create a volunteer group in honour of Saskatchewan's Co-operative Week of Volunteering. Their IYC gift to the town of Mossbank was to refurbish the community hall, giving the heritage building a much needed face lift.

The principle of Concern for Community was put into practice with the donation of time and supplies. In total, over $8,000 was contributed to painting, replacing floors and renovating the bathroom facilities.

To celebrate the success of their volunteer efforts, Conexus and Southland Co-op hosted a party in the newly renovated hall on October 18. More than 60 residents of Mossbank enjoyed an afternoon of entertainment and insights from community co-op leaders, including Jan Craig, manager of the Mossbank branch of Conexus; Ken Bahuaud, general manager of Southland Co-op; and Marilyn McKee, regional chair on the Federated Co-operatives Limited board of directors.

Highlights of the afternoon included hearing songs from a choir of kindergarten and grade four students, and the musical talents of Joel and Cheryl Mowchenko's family band.

By co-operating on the Mossbank IYC project, Conexus and Southland Co-op have left a legacy that the community will enjoy for years to come.

To launch Co-op Week celebrations last month, Battlefords and District Co-op, Innovation Credit Union and The Co-operators hosted a fundraising luncheon on October 15.

The fundraiser was a great success: 279 plates were sold, raising $1,395. Matching donations by the three co-operative hosts brought the total to an amazing $2,790. The proceeds were donated to Battlefords United Way.

Support for this community function is proof that the co-operative spirit includes working together and giving back.

H.E. Ban Ki Moon's statement (given by Ms. Akhtar) stresses the importance of youth in cooperatives.So amazing. Great to hear #IYCBeyond2012

- Jamie Felsch (@Felsch31J)

 

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Thanks to support from Gay Lea Foods Co-operative, the Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada (CDF) is well on its way to raising $800,000 for CCA's new agriculture project in Rwanda.

CDF, the fundraising arm of CCA, needs to raise the $800,000 in matching funds in order to leverage approximately $3.5 million in funding from the Canadian International Development Agency.

Gay Lea, one of the first organizations to sign on to CDF's Build a Better World Campaign, has asked that their pledge of $400,000 be allocated to the Rwanda project.

Click here for more information.

The Stories.coop campaign has been committed to providing inspiration co-operative stories from around the globe each day of the International Year.

With the end of 2012 in sight, the creators of the campaign want to hear your thoughts on what to do with Stories.coop after IYC.

Ways to share your ideas: 

• Post them to the Stories.coop Facebook page
• Send a tweet to @Storiescoop
• Email your ideas to info@stories.coop

Click here for a short video about using Stories.coop after 2012.