Here are answers to some of the questions you may have or topics you may be wondering about, related to 2012, the UN International Year of Co-operatives. Be sure to check back on a regular basis as more information will be added as it comes available.

Is there a logo or theme for the International Year of Co-operatives? 

YES! The United Nations and the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) announced the official theme of the International Year of Co-operatives on December 10,2010. The theme is

Co-operative enterprises build a better world"

"Les coopératives, des entreprises pour un monde meilleur".

The logo was released on April 4, 2011 and can be viewed on the UN International Year of the Co-operative website.

Please note that CCA is currently working with the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) to determine all of the parameters for the use of the logo, the theme and related messaging that can be used in conjunction with the logo. While we work out these details, we would ask that you hold off in using the logo or going through the process to request usage permissions from the UN. We will be updating this website with information providing more clarity around the usage parameters within the next couple of weeks.

What is CCA planning?

In August 2010, Canada’s two national co-operative associations – CCA and the Conseil canadien de la cooperation et de la mutualité (CCCM) – convened a meeting of some 15 senior representatives of co-operatives and credit unions from across Canada to identify key strategic priorities for 2012.  The two priorities they identified were:

• The need to raise the awareness and the profile of co-operatives with a wide range of audiences, including young people, the media, governments at all levels and among co-op and credit union members.
• To help build and sustain the capacity of the co-operative movement and its capacity for growth and innovation.  This priority will focus on securing enabling legislation and projects, as well as “legacy” projects and programs that will live beyond December 31, 2010.  

The Canadian objectives and priorities for 2012 are in line with the UN resolution and the main 2012 goal of the International Co-operative Alliance:  to increase awareness about the diversity and contributions of co-operatives and how the co-operative business model can meet community and individual needs.   

A major focus of CCA’s 2012 Action Plan is on communications, creating tools and materials that will help co-operators at the local, regional and provincial levels to tell the co-operative story and to communicate the co-operative difference.    This strategy will be most effective if it is primarily carried out by local co-operatives – with members, employees, customers and local media.  An important element of CCA’s communication work for 2012 will be creating materials and access points (like a 2012 website) where CCA members, provincial associations and local co-operatives and credit unions can get information about what other co-operatives across the country are doing in their local communities.  Social media, videos and photos will also be key components of the 2012 communications strategy. 

CCA and CCCM will be working together on some aspects of the communications strategy, on federal government relations and a joint Congress in 2012. The federal government’s Rural and Co-operatives Secretariat will also have a role to play in promoting the International Year.

The UN International Year of Co-operatives is really a beginning, not an end point.  CCA hopes that the year will spawn new initiatives, new partnerships and new policies and programs for co-operatives.

Where do I find information on the International Year?

For information from the United Nations, check out: http://social.un.org/coopsyear

For information from the International Co-operative Alliance, check out: www.ica.coop/activities/iyc

Until the Canadian 2012 website is launched in January 2011, information and updates will be posted on this CCA web page.   There will also be regular e-newsletters that will be sent out through CCA member organizations to co-operative networks across Canada. 

How can I, my co-op or my credit union get involved?

So what can you do in your local community? There are lots of ways to  get started.

• Join a 2012 planning committee if one exists in your community;  if not, start one!  For example, in one city, a credit union is teaming up with the local food co-op to see how they can work together to raise local awareness of co-operatives in 2012.
•  Start thinking of “legacy” projects around your board or staff tables.  These legacy projects would live beyond 2012 but could be announced or launched during the International Year. Some examples may include: creating a scholarship for young co-operators; launching a website that profiles and promotes co-ops in your community; developing a new member education program or employee orientation program on co-operatives; or establishing new partnerships with other co-ops.

 If you decide to start a 2012 committee in your area, or would like to share any ideas you have for 2012 initiatives, the Canadian 2012 website will have a section where you can share this information.  In the meantime, contact Tanya Gracie at tanya.gracie@coopscanada.coop, so that we can pass along information as it becomes available and let other interested co-operators in your area know.

Who do I contact?

 For additional information or inquiries related to CCA’s 2012 initiatives, please contact:

Tanya Gracie

Project Officer, 2012 UN International Year of Co-operatives

tanya.gracie@coopscanada.coop

613.238.6711 ext. 243