“Co-operative Enterprises Build a Better World.” – theme of the Year
“Co-operatives are a reminder to the international community that it is possible to pursue both economic viability and social responsibility.” – Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General
The launch of the International Year of Co-operatives is here!
You can take part wherever you are by linking towww.livestream.com/accaiyc or you can join a launch event in your neighbourhood on January 12, 2012
The press release below has been shared extensively with Alberta’s media and provides a good summary of what will be happening in Alberta on January 12. Find the launch site nearest you and plan to attend. Or if that is not possible, host a mini launch wherever you are. All you need is a room, a computer and if you like CAKE . . . hmmm probably you need at least one other person to make it fun! Each of the launch sites in Alberta is going to get a cake with the IYC logo on it and then we will cut our cakes simultaneously across the province.
If you prefer tweets rather than cake, participate in the launch by joining us on twitter at Twitter @iycalberta and Twitter @CoopAlberta .
There is also going to be a great party on the evening of January 12 at the Calgary Farmer’s Market that is for all members or staff of Alberta Co-ops (so just about everyone in Alberta!) See the information below and RSVP by January 10 for a ticket to cdixon@acca.coop. Tickets $25.
However you celebrate the launch of the International Year of Co-operatives, takes lots of pictures and video footage and post them on our Facebook page, http://tinyurl.com/fb-coop-cafe.
And what is happening after January 12, 2012 to continue the celebration of the International Year of Co-operatives? You tell us! Join a Co-op Cluster group and plan IYC events with your neighbour co-ops. This year is all about sharing our story and having fun doing it! The next Co-op Cluster conference call is on January 24 at 10:00. For call in information contact Sarah at sarah.arthurs@prairiesky.ab.ca
Alberta Launches into 2012 International Year of Co-operatives
Calgary - On January 12, 2012, Alberta’s co-operatives and credit unions will join hands with the rest of Canada to launch the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives (IYC).
Calgary will be Alberta’s national launch site for the yearlong celebration of how
co-operative enterprises build a better world. The Alberta Community and Co-operative Association (ACCA), The Co-operators and the Conseil de Développement Économique de L’Alberta (CDEA) will host the launch at the Calgary Farmers’ Market beginning at 10:15 a.m. on January 12. This will coincide with national launches taking place at 12 other sites across Canada, and will feature a broadcast from Ottawa.
Across Alberta, 9 other sites will hold launch events in conjunction with the provincial and national launch, including a province-wide simultaneous cake cutting. The Alberta launch sites will be: (Contact information for each below)
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A gala will be held that evening at the Calgary Farmers’ Market at 7 p.m. featuring refreshments and appetizers from the Market vendors, music, speeches from The Co-operators CEO Kathy Bardswick, and a video greeting from Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi. Ticket $25.
Please RSVP for both events to cdixon@acca.coop . Other information will also be released at www.acca.coop, on Facebook at Alberta Co-op Cafe, and on Twitter @iycalberta.
For Media, please contact:
Sarah Arthurs, ACCA IYC Coordinator
403-860-3980
Sarah.arthurs@prairiesky.ab.ca
Event Summary:
Calgary IYC Launch
When: January 12, 2012
Where: The Calgary Farmers Market, 510 – 77 Ave S.E
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Launch (10:15 AM- Noon) |
Gala 7-10PM |
| Webcast of National Launch from OttawaGreetings from ACCA
Greetings from the Provincial Government
Panel Discussion: The International Year of Co-operatives and Why it is Good for Alberta o Kathy Bardswick, CEO of The Co-operators and Board member for the International Co-operative Alliance o Rick Cowburn, Spark Energy Co-operative o Cayley Wallace, Member of the CCA National Youth Caucus, from UFA Co- operative Limited o Marc Tremblay, Conseil de Développement Économique de L’Alberta
Questions and short comments via email or twitter will be included in this discussion. Updates on IYC Events in Alberta throughout 2012 Simultaneous Cake Cutting |
Video Greeting from Mayor Naheed Nenshi
Key note address from Kathy Bardswick on Co-opeatives The Co-operators CEO and International Co-operative Alliance Board Member,.
Music provided by two bands: Clea Roddick and Co-opupy Wine and Appetizers
Tickets are $25 Please RSVP to the Alberta Community and Co-operative Association by January 9th, 2012
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Contact Information for other Alberta Launch Sites
- Red Deer – United Farmers of Alberta, Lisa Dunn lisa.dunn@ufa.com or Jessica Barrie Jessica.Barrie@ufa.com
- Stony Plain – North Central Co-operative Association, Ed Berney eberney@telus.net and Servus Credit Union, Kevin Wunsch kevin.wunsch@servus.ca
- St Isidore – Societe des campagnons, Pauline Lavoie, plavoie@serbernet.com
- Edmonton- Mountain Equipment Co-op, Karly Coleman, kcoleman@mec.ca
- Lloydminster – Servus Credit Union, Holly Gabruck, Holly.Gabruck@servus.ca
- Strathcona County – Brittany Lane Housing Co-op, ainniss@shaw.ca
- High River – Hi-Wood Housing Co-op, hwmcoop@telus.net
- Priddis – Meota Gas Co-op, Gwen Blatz, gwenblatz@davincibb.net
- Edmonton – Association of Alberta Seed Cleaning Plants AGM, Lorena Phal lorena.pahl@seed.ab.ca
Backgrounder on International Year of Co-operatives
On December 18, 2009, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution declaring 2012 the UN International Year of Co-operatives. The resolution, entitled “Co-operatives in Social Development”, recognizes the diversity of the co-operative movement around the world and urges governments to take measures aimed at creating a supportive environment for the development of co-operatives.
The UN resolution recognises that the co-operative business model is a major factor of economic and social development, promoting the fullest possible participation in the economic and social development of people in both the developed and developing world, and that, in particular, cooperatives contribute to the eradication of poverty. The resolution also encourages all governments to create a more supportive environment for co-operative development, particularly when it comes to securing finances for capacity-building.
The International Year will give both the co-operative sector and governments an opportunity to:
- Raise public awareness of co-operatives and the economic and social contribution of the co-operative business model.
- Support the growth and sustainability of co-operatives; and
- Create legacy initiatives that will live beyond December 31, 2012
Across Canada, the Canadian Co-operative Association and the Counseil Canadien de la Cooperation et de la Mutualite are hosting national launches on January 12 at:
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Get On the Map!
We are developing a map of all the co-ops in Alberta. To see the impressive number of co-ops located around the province visit Google Maps at http://tinyurl.com/albertacoopsmap. To map your co-op please contact Sarah at iyc@acca.coop or Kevin Crush at KCrush@fedgas.com
