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The Global Development Co-operative (GDC) is “on the cusp” of going into operation, but one of the fund’s leaders has called for more co-operatives to get involved.
Paul Flowers, Chair of the GDC and Chair of the Co-operative Banking Group (UK), the management organisation behind the fund, said during the Co-operatives United Opening Ceremony that the Movement must “preserve this year with a legacy and be justifiably proud”.
He said: “Over the past year we have made huge progress on design, creation and promotion of the Global Development Co-operative as an initiative. As such we are now on the cusp of being able to open for business – on the cusp of being able to start giving our fellow co-operators the opportunity to grow, prosper and share the benefits of this with their members.
“Support from the co-operative movement has been promising over the last 12 months; however there is still the opportunity for all parties present to become involved. We are still very much open to accept new investments and welcome any parties who wish to join the Global Development Co-operative and be part of the really important legacy it will leave from the International Year of Co-operatives 2012.”
He said the fund has made “substantial progress” and added: “I have a dream for you, rather than just be an organisation that talks to itself, then talks to the outside world, we should also have a true legacy that builds on, year after year.
“It says we are an International Co-operative Alliance, we should act as an Alliance, we should act in a way that helps those who need us. The IYC this year has to mean much more than us simply being nice to each other, it has to mean much more than a number of us flying around the world and experiencing a warm glow.”
Talking about the Movement, he said: “It needs to wake up to the massive and acute needs of the developing world, we have a duty and a responsibility to work with co-operators in the poorest parts of the world, we need to make sure their co-operatives are as vibrant and strong as ours are today.
“This is a very important opportunity and we cannot let it pass us by.”
• To find out more about contributing to the Global Development Co-operative, email Stuart Coe.
