The fact that the United Nations has declared 2012 the International Year of Co-operatives (IYC) is an unprecedented opportunity to share our message. In establishing the Year, the UN recognized that co-operative enterprises “in their various forms, promote the fullest possible participation in the economic and social development of all people, including women, youth, older persons, persons with disabilities and indigenous peoples, are becoming a major factor of economic and social development and contribute to the eradication of poverty”.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon puts it more simply: “Co-operatives are a reminder to the international community that it is possible to pursue both economic viability and social responsibility.”
VAWC passed a Resolution to supporting the IYC. Contact us for a copy or if you’d like support on creating your own.
The Valley Co-operative Business Association
The Valley Co-operative Business Association was recently established by a group of food co-ops, a credit union and the Valley Alliance of Worker Co-ops to make our model more visible, to advance our region’s co-operative economy and to make the benefits of co-operation more available in our community.
To find out how co-ops in the Valley are working together, go to VCBA’s website or facebook page.