Co-operatives came together for 12 January launch

On 12 January, co-operatives up and down the country – and around the world – geared up for a flying start to the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives, with a series of high profile events planned to kick start the year in style.

The United Nations has designated 2012 the International Year of Co-operatives. It is a unique opportunity to open the lid on one of the world’s biggest secrets. There are over I.4 million co-operatives across the globe, working in everything from farming to football, healthcare to housing. Between them they have nearly 1 billion members and over 3 billion people secure their livelihood through co-operatives.

On Thursday 12 January 2012 a number of events took place to mark the start of the International Year. There was a lot happening in the UK, but also much further afield – Canada, France, Portugal, Chile, Korea, Ecuador, United States to name a few.

All of the events were brought together by the Global News Hub, which created a dedicated page for the day to cover all the events taking place on 12 January - http://www.thenews.coop/2012launch

Here are some of the highlights from the UK:

• Co-operatives UK and The Co-operative Group held a live one-hour online debate in partnership with The Guardian;
• The Co-operative College launched a new book – ‘The hidden alternative — Co-operative values, past present and future’ – simultaneously in Manchester and London.
• The Wales Co-operative Centre launched a new report on the Co-operative Economy of Wales at a reception hosted in the Welsh Assembly.
• At the Northern Ireland Assembly, Steven Agnew, chair of the all-party group on co-operatives at Stormont, hosted a reception.
• In Edinburgh, Co-operative Development Scotland and the Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative held the first of a series of events for the International Year, with Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative announcing its expansion plans for the next five years.
• The Midcounties Co-operative hosted events at locations across its trading area, including releasing 5,000 balloons from its Warwick head office.
• The Co-operative Group unveiled new billboards and promotional materials at its major centres, as well as co-ordinating extensive press activity across the country.
• Independent retail societies – including Midlands Co-operative Society, Channel Islands Co-operative Society, Chelmsford Star Co-operative and The Southern Co-operative – held photo calls in selected stores.
• Co-operatives Yorkshire and Humber held an event for local authorities on co-operation.

If you would like to celebrate the International Year, why not contribute and share with co-operatives worldwide on the Global News Hub page -  http://www.thenews.coop/2012launch - and tell your friends and colleagues about the International Year on Twitter, using the #coops2102 hashtag.