International Co-operative Day is observed on the first Saturday of every July. In 2022, International Co-operative Day is marked on July 2. International Co-operative Day celebrates the co-operative movement that was formed in 1923 by the International Co-operative Alliance. Co-operatives around the world celebrate the day based on a particular theme each year. International Co-operative Day is held to acknowledge the associations and enterprises which help people to improve their lives while contributing to the social, economic, cultural, and political advancement of their community and nation. Co-operative movements are democratic, locally autonomous, but internationally integrated, and a form of organization and the members help themselves in overcoming poverty, employment opportunities, inequality, and a lot more. This day aims at creating awareness of co-operatives, and to focus on the goals and purposes of the United Nations and the international cooperative movement.

“Each co-operative institution will become a school of business in which each member will acquire a knowledge of the laws of trade and commerce.” – Leland Stanford

History of International Co-operative Day

International Co-operative Day was proclaimed in the resolution 47/90 by the United Nations General Assembly on December 16, 1992, to celebrate the first Saturday of July 1995 as International Day of Cooperatives. It marked the hundredth anniversary of the establishment of the International Cooperative Alliance. Since 1995, this day is observed internationally. The earliest record of co-operatives is marked on March 14, 1761, by Fenwick, Scotland. In 1844, 28 artisans worked in a cotton mill in Rochdale, England, and established the first modern co-operative business, the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society. To deal with the scarcity of food, working conditions, and low wages, they decided to pool their resources and work together to get basic goods at a lower price. Rochdale pioneers are considered to be the prototype of the modern co-operative society and the founders of the Co-operative Movement. Now, the sector is assumed to have 1 billion members.

International Co-operative Day

Other celebrations on July 2

July 2 is also celebrated as

How to celebrate the day

International Co-operative Day is observed every year with a different theme. For 2022, the theme is set as “Cooperatives Build a Better World” and for 2021 “Rebuild better together.” Cooperatives will show people how to run a business successfully while keeping the natural environment and resources safe. The theme will be revealed by the president of the International Co-operative Alliance at the events with cooperatives. People across the world will celebrate the day differently. Articles and radio programs will be held to spread awareness of the day. Fairs, exhibitions, and campaigns will also be held on the topic of the day. Post pictures and share your celebrations on social media by using the hashtag #CooperativeDay.

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