The Consultation
The 33rd World Cooperative Congress themed on Deepening (our) Cooperative Identity kicked off a consultative process to explore how well cooperators understood the Statement on the Cooperative Identity and whether it has stood the test of time.
Following on from Congress, the ICA Board set up the Cooperative Identity Advisory Group (CIAG) to continue the reflection and consultation on cooperative identity. Chaired by ICA Board Member Alexandra Wilson from Canada, the Group comprises 23 persons from all ICA regions, and includes cooperative thinkers, leaders and practitioners.
A first preliminary survey
for cooperators worldwide
The first step has been to launch a preliminary survey to examine whether the cooperative identity is adequately defined and understood. The consultation is also exploring whether cooperatives operate in a manner consistent with the cooperative identity and will consider ways to deepen the identity.
The survey which closed on 31 October, will inform the Group’s work. Cooperators will have around three months to respond to this consultation.
CIAG will carefully consider the findings of past enquiries into the cooperative principles and the views expressed and information shared during the post-congress consultation. It will also seek to determine whether changes to the Statement on the Cooperative Identity would serve to clarify and reinforce the essential purpose and nature of cooperatives and to strengthen their capacity to contribute to building a better world.
In 1995, the ICA adopted the revised Statement on the Cooperative Identity which contains the definition of a cooperative, the values of cooperatives, and the seven cooperative principles.
Supportive actions
The CIAG is planning regional seminars and will be updating cooperators about other actions from around the world.
Are you interested in translating the Survey in your languages? For more information contact Santosh Kumar, Director of Legislation at kumar@ica.coop.