The United Nations’ Year of Co‑operatives: The key to success is communication

I was honoured to be asked to speak on behalf of the UK co-operative movement at the soft launch of the United Nation's International Year of Co-operatives in New York on Tuesday (9 July), writes Rose Marley, CEO of Co-operatives UK.

We were also invited to high tea at the India permanent mission to the United Nations and was also able to spend a day at the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA CLUSA International) - the equivalent of Co-operatives UK in the United States - in Washington.

I met some wonderful people from the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), Euro Coop, the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Coop and St Mary's University - and co-operators from across the globe including Brazil, Italy, Bulgaria, Belgium, Ukraine, India, Argentina and Canada! 

With a shared passion and commitment, there was lots to discuss and learn. In a melting pot of languages, this isn’t where the communication problem lies. As well as the common themes of values and principles, we all had another theme in common. Our communications plans are not working as effectively as we’d like them to! 

I’ve documented the trip, which highlights some of the opportunities as well as challenges we face in 2025. The ICA has a number of targets for the International Year of Co-operatives:

• Raising public awareness and visibility of cooperatives, highlighting their contributions to sustainable development
• Promoting the growth and development of cooperatives and strengthening their entrepreneurial ecosystem
• Advocating for an enabling environment and supportive legal and policy frameworks
• Promoting purposeful leadership and inspiring the youth to join the movement

Without a doubt, whether it’s digital comms or effective messaging, the only way we will meet these targets is to be effective in our communication. My hope is that the UN Year of Co-operatives in 2025 provides the catalyst for some new thinking and pioneering work in our global communications that resonates at a local level.