PRESS RELEASE : PCC 24th ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY
June 29, 2022
COOP VOICE [April – June 2022]
August 9, 2022
PRESS RELEASE
100th International Day of Cooperatives
#CoopsDay Slogan for 2022: “Cooperatives Build a Better World[1]”
100th International Day of Cooperatives
The International Day of Cooperatives has been marked by cooperatives worldwide since 1923. Officially recognized by the United Nations in 1995, the International Day of Cooperatives is celebrated annually every first Saturday of July.
The main objective of #CoopsDay is to promote and increase awareness on cooperatives and their viability and sustainability as a financial model. Contrary to a purely profits-based approach that is bereft of social responsibility, cooperatives are “human-centered businessl”, “environmental friendly”, and “ethical” financial model.
This year’s slogan “Cooperatives Build a Better World” highlights the community building capabilities of the cooperative sector. It is a form of enterprise – a Cooperative Enterprise, as quoted by Sir Roy Miclat of 1CISP – that is both financially capable and socially healthy. Guided by “globally agreed principles that rest on a foundation of shared ethical values”[2], the cooperative enterprise is a possible answer to the current global crises.
“Operating all around the world, in many different sectors of economy, cooperatives have proven themselves more resilient to crises than the average. They foster economic participation, fight against environmental degradation and climate change, generate good jobs, contribute to food security, keep financial capital within local communities, build ethical value chains, and, by improving people’s material conditions and security, contribute to positive peace[3].”
In line with PCC’s 25th Anniversary
PCC invites everyone from the sector and movement to participate in the celebration, recognition, and promotion of the principles and values of cooperativism. It is, as it stands, a potential solution to the current global crises. The cooperative enterprise puts premium in a resilient, community friendly, and financially inclusive model. However, that is not easy. Just like every other community and organization, promoting cooperativism and creating successful cooperatives and molding progressive cooperators requires “Panata” (vow) and “Pagtataya” (sacrifice) as it takes considerable time and resources. It takes communities to create community friendly business models (cooperatives); thus we, in the cooperatives, will not be what we are today without the thorough support of our allies and members.
Truly, cooperative enterprises promote social justice in building a better country and a better world.
__________________________________________________________________________________
The Philippine Cooperative Center
25 years hence, the Philippine Cooperative Center is being looked upon as a coordinating body for cooperatives in the country, and a unifying center that focuses on advocacy and education for and on behalf of the cooperative sector. PCC is also the convener of the largest gathering of cooperatives every 2 years (with its National Cooperative Summit).
CONTACT PERSONS:
Edwin A. Bustillos
Chief Executive Officer
09178017309
Ray John Paul Santiago
Researcher – Writer Staff
09564490166
[1] The International Cooperative Alliance and the United Nations, through its Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC) sets the annual theme and slogan for the celebration.
[2] https://www.ica.coop/en/newsroom/news/cooperatives-build-better-world-2022-international-day-cooperatives-announced
[3] Ibid.
