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What is a co-operative?What is a co-operative?A co-operative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise. See Co-operative Identity Statement: Co-operative Values and Principles > > >Ranging from small-scale to multi-million dollar businesses across the globe, co-operatives are employ more than 100 million women and men and have more than 800 million individual members. What is the co-operative difference?![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Co-operatives are also enterprises that follow a set of principles and values - The Co-operative Principles. The Co-operative Identity Statement elaborated in 1995 by the ICA is the internationally recognised definition of the co-operatives, its values, and principles. Go to Co-operative Identity Statement > > > Co-operatives are significant economic and social actorsAll over the world, millions of people have chosen the co-operative model of business enterprise to enable them to reach their personal and community development goals. Co-operatives create and maintain employment providing income; they are responsible for producing and supplying safe and quality food and services to their members, but also to the communities in which they operate. By putting the Co-operative Principles and ethics in practice they promote solidarity and tolerance, while as 'schools of democracy' they promote the rights of each individual - women and men. Co-operatives are socially conscious responding to the needs of their members whether it is to provide literacy or technical training, or to take action against the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Through their varied activities, co-operatives are in many countries significant social and economic actors in national economies, thus making not only personal development a reality, but contributing to the well-being of entire populations at the national level.More information on co-operatives' significance in the economy > > > |
Last Updated: 26 July 2005
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