This is the logo for the International year of Cooperatives launched on 12 January. It depicts seven people, representing the seven co-operative principles, holding up a building block and illustrating the theme of the International Year – “Co-operative enterprises build a better world”.
There are more than 1.4 million co-operatives around the worked and co-operatives are being considered as the ultimate social business - where people can have an equal say, and share the profits of their work.
The IYC is a wonderful opportunity for co-operatives, credit unions, mutuals, employee owned and social businesses everywhere to raise awareness and promote Australia’s most sustainable and successful businesses. The momentum, potential and possibilities are increasing every day.
In Australia, Social Business Australia is acting as the National Secretariat for Australia’s contribution to the IYC. SBA sponsored a fringe event at the 2011 ALP National Conference~ a lively discussion about the potential of co-operatives post the GFC.
The Australian IYC Secretariat is also producing a book called Building a Better Australia, book with Focus Publishing which describes and illustrates the business, the people and the thinking behind 50 of the nation’s most interesting and diverse co-operatives. It is the first time the co-operative sector has collaborated on a coffee-table publication to celebrate and promote the sector. You can find out more and keep in touch with all the local IYC events at http://www.australia2012.coop/