2012 IS INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF CO-OPERATIVES
2012 IS INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF CO-OPERATIVES In the passing of Resolution A/RES/64/136, the UN General Assembly declared 2012 as the International Year of Co-operatives (IYC) highlighting the contribution of cooperatives to socio-economic development, and in particular, recognizing their impact on poverty reduction, employment generation and social integration. The declaration of ‘International Years’ by the UN is a move to alert consciousness to the major issues of concern and to encourage action by potential key players. In this regard, the International Year of Cooperatives has three main objectives: 1. To increase public awareness about cooperatives and their contribution to socio-economic development and the achievement of internationally agreed development goals, 2. To promote the formation and growth of cooperatives for socioeconomic empowerment; and 3. To provide an enabling environment with policies, laws and regulation conducive to the formation, growth and stabi