International Year of Co-operatives

The United Nations has declared 2012 the International Year of Co‑operatives (IYC) in recognition of the strength and social benefits of the co‑operative business model. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says “Co‑operatives are a reminder to the international community that it is possible to pursue both economic viability and social responsibility.”

The international co‑operative movement has seized on this opportunity to increase public awareness and support for co‑ops. The International Co‑operative Alliance (ICA), the Canadian Co‑operative Association (CCA) and many other sector organizations have launched IYC websites and projects to launch, celebrate and advocate for co‑operative enterprise.

Canada’s housing co‑operatives are excited about the opportunity to be part of IYC, both individually and through CHF Canada and regional co‑op housing federations. At CHF Canada’s 2011 Annual Meeting in St. John’s, NL, members passed a resolution to use IYC as an opportunity to build awareness and advocacy for co‑op housing.

Canada’s 2,200 housing co‑ops are celebrating and advertising IYC using the ideas, information and IYC merchandise developed and circulated by CHF Canada.

• CHF Canada’s banner campaign has been coordinated with similar banners that will be used by other co‑operative across Canada such as co‑op stores and credit unions. The overall effect of these banners will be memorable if lots of housing co‑ops purchase and hang a banner on their building. For special discounted bulk pricing, order your IYC banner through CHF Canada’s merchandise partner, The Flag Shop, before January 20, 2012.
• CHF Canada’s IYC web pages contain information about the strength, sustainability and success of co‑ops around the world as well as links to other IYC info, tools and videos. These include co‑op facts and a list of 12 ways to get involved.
• CHF Canada’s 2012 Annual Meeting in Niagara Falls will feature workshops, speakers and activities focused on IYC to help members increase awareness, understanding and support of co‑operative enterprise around the globe.

For breaking news about IYC in Canada, be sure to subscribe to CHF Canada eNEWS and to CCA’s 2012 Matters electronic newsletters. For the fastest updates, you can also follow CHF Canada on Facebook and Twitter.

We hope you will use this information to spread the word about how co‑operative enterprises, and housing co‑ops in particular, build a better world.

For more info or to publicize your IYC project, contact:

Scott Jackson
Program Manager — National Communications, CHF Canada
Phone: 1.877.533.2667 ext. 122
Email: sjackson@chfcanada.coop

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About IYC

+	Housing Co-ops

+	Co-ops around the world

+	IYC toolkit

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