The Sustainable Development Goals are to achieve 3 extraordinary things: end extreme poverty,
fight inequality, fix climate change - over the next 15 years.
Co-operatives have a unique role to play in realizing the Goals, as they contribute to
sustainable economic growth, social development and environmental responsibility.
Tell co-ops in your area about the International Day, celebrate and show how your co-op supports the
Sustainable Development Goals by acting on the co-operative principles and values!
What are the sustainable development goals?
During the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015, world leaders committed to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, outlining an ambitious vision for a better world.
They agreed on seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to wipe out poverty, fight inequality and injustice and tackle climate change, all over the next fifteen years.
Co-operatives have a unique role to play in realizing the SDGs.
The co-operative business model has sustainable development at its core, being based on ethical values and principles.
Locally rooted and people driven, co-operatives contribute to sustainable economic growth, social development and environmental responsibility.
The 2016 International Co-operative Day
The slogan for the 2016 International Day of Co-operatives is ‘Co-operatives: The power to act for a sustainable future’. The slogan was chosen to emphasize the co-operative contribution to the United Nations' Sustainable Development goals, or SDGs.
Co-operatives are important partners to achieve the SDGs, because they foster democracy, practice social inclusion and operate with concern for the environment, all while having a significant economic impact on the world economy. On July 2, the 2016 International Day of Co-operatives, we commit our support to the SDGs!
The Alliance calls on co-operators worldwide to celebrate the 2016 Day by showing how the co-operative principles and values act in support of the Sustainable Development Goals. Tell co-ops in your area about the Day!
How to celebrate the 2016 International Day
- Help co-operators be aware of the day! We need you to tell your network it's on July 2nd, 2016. Mention the day in your website’s news section, in your newsletters, and mention www.coopsday.coop
- Host an SDG-event at your co-operative! Educate your co-op - and why not your community - about the Sustainable Development Goals. Meet with local and national government officials to discuss how co-operatives are drivers of sustainable development and what they need to grow
- Set targets for your co-op to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, and share your progress with the world
- Send us pictures, stories, any record of your celebration is welcome!
Pledge your co-op
On July 2nd, the Alliance will launch a pledge web page!
The pledge page will provide co-ops with ways to how they can best contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and make pledges to implement them in their co-op or their community.
Send us your e-mail address, and we'll let you know when we're ready to take your co-op's pledge!
Use the International Day of Co-operatives to promote your co-op
Two birds with one stone? Use the celebration day to a double effect!
Gain exposure for your co-operative in your community. Invite local stakeholders and clients to your celebration. Hold your event in a public location.
At the same time, raise awareness for your co-operative with employees and members. Use the International Day to reconnect! Take time to review how co-operative principles and values are embedded in your co-op!
Keep an eye on further 2016 Day events
On July 11th, a special celebration will be organized by the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC), will be held at the United Nations' HQ in New York.
Alliance president Monique Leroux, UN officials and national delegations will address the audience during the celebration. The event will be recorded and posted online for co-ops everywhere to watch and share.
A photo exhibition about co-ops' celebrations of the International Day will be organized between 4-20 July at the UN headquarters. More info at www.copac.coop.
The 2016 International Summit of Cooperatives will connect with the slogan of the 2016 Day. Themed ‘Cooperatives: The power to act’, the summit will be held in Quebec from 11 to 13 October 2016. Registrations can be made at www.summit.coop.
