Ethos Public Relations Manchester

Co-operatives across the UK unite for launch of 2012 International Year

by Ethos public relations

Co-operatives up and down the country are gearing up for a flying start to the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives 2012, with a number 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 some of the world’s best kept 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 will take place to mark the start of the International Year. Co-operatives UK and The Co-operative Group are holding a live one-hour online debate in partnership with The Guardian.

There will be receptions in the Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies, along with tastings, conferences and book launches across the UK. Further afield, there will be celebrations in France and Portugal, Canada and China.

Activities for the International Year of Co-operatives will continue throughout 2012, with co-operatives in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – and around the world – using the Year to show how co-operatives build a better world.

On 7 July, co-operative everywhere will celebrate International Co-operatives Day, whilst in the week of 29 October over 10,000 people from around the world are expected to attend Co-operatives United, a world co-operative festival and expo in Manchester.

Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, said: “2012 is a truly unique year for the co-operative movement.

“This is an opportunity for every co-operative, from locally owned community shops to national brands in the UK co-operative sector, to show how they build a better world by pursuing both economic viability and social responsibility.”

To find out more about the United Nations 2012 International Year of Co-operatives visit the ICA at www.2012.coop or the United Nations at http://social.un.org/coopsyear.

For further information about what is happening in the UK throughout the International Year, visit the Co-operatives UK website at www.uk.coop/2012.

Follow the action on social media by following @CooperativesUK on Twitter and visit the Facebook page, www.facebook.com/CooperativesUK.

To read other news from Co-operatives UK click here.

Posted at 12^th January 2012