New Zealand backs International Day of Co-operatives July 2

New Zealand backs International Day of Co-operatives (July 2nd)

New Zealand, the country whose economy is rated as the world’s most co-operative by the United Nations, is lending its support to a global initiative dedicated towards sustainable development.

Cooperative Business New Zealand, the industry body which advocates for and supports the co-operative sector in NZ, is backing the International Day of Co-operatives (Saturday, July 2nd).

Themed Co-operatives: The power to act for a sustainable future, the day will be dedicated towards the United Nations’ sustainable development goals which are to achieve three extraordinary things - end extreme poverty, fight inequality and fix climate change - over the next 15 years.

Cooperative Business NZ Chief Executive, Craig Presland, says that as a member of the International Co-operative Alliance, Cooperative Business NZ fully supports the initiative.

“These goals are obviously critically important, world-changing objectives that will require co-operation amongst governments, international organizations and world leaders,” Mr Presland says.

“New Zealand’s co-operatives are key partners for achieving the agenda for sustainable development. We encourage Kiwi co-ops to reflect upon the co-operative business model of 100%-member ownership and sustainability, the latter extending towards sustainable economic, social and environmental development.

“We foster and support democracy, equality, social inclusion, job security, decent working conditions and the sustainable utilization of resources. In addition, we promote and encourage local community investment.

“We all play our co-operative part in making the world a better place by promoting and supporting globally recognized co-operative principles,” he says.

In September 2015, all United Nations members adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which comprises 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Mr Presland says all of these goals are relevant to New Zealand as a country and New Zealanders as people.

“Over the next 15 years, countries will mobilize efforts in an attempt to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, while ensuring that no one is left behind.

“The new goals are unique in that they call for action by all countries, poor, rich and middle-income to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. They recognize that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth while addressing a range of social needs including education, health, social protection and job opportunities, as well as tackling climate change and environmental protection,” he says.

ENDS

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