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Definition
A co-operative is an autonomous association
of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic,
social and cultural needs and aspirations through a
jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise.
Values
Co-operatives are based on the values of
self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality
and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders,
co-operative members believe in the ethical values of
honesty, openness, responsibility and caring for others.
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Principles
| 1. |
Voluntary and open membership
Co-operatives are voluntary organisations, open to all
persons able to use their services and willing to accept
the responsibilities of membership, without gender,
social, racial, political or religious discrimination.
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| 2. |
Democratic member control
Co-operatives are democratic organisations controlled
by their members, who actively participate in setting
policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as
elected representatives are accountable to the membership.
In primary co-operatives, members have equal voting rights
(one member, one vote) and co-operatives at other levels
are organised in a democratic manner. |
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| 3. |
Members' economic participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically
control, the capital of their co-operative. At least
part of that capital is usually the common property
of the co-operative. They usually receive limited compensation,
if any, for capital subscribed as a condition of membership.
Members allocate surpluses for any, or all, of the
following purposes:
- developing the co-operative;
- setting up reserves, part of which at least would
be indivisible;
- benefiting members in proportion to their transactions
with the co-operative; and
- supporting other activities approved by the membership.
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| 4. |
Autonomy and independence
Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help organisations
controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements
with other organisations, including governments, or raise
capital from external sources, they do so on terms that
ensure democratic control by their members and maintain
their co-operative autonomy. |
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| 5. |
Education, training and information
Co-operatives provide education and training for their
members, elected representatives, managers and employees
so they can contribute effectively to the development
of their co-operatives. They also inform the general public,
particularly young people and opinion leaders, about the
nature and benefits of co-operation. |
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| 6. |
Co-operation among co-operatives
Co-operatives service their members most effectively
and strengthen the co-operative movement by working
through local, national, regional and international
structures.
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| 7. |
Concern for community
While focusing on members needs, co-operatives work for
the sustainable development of their communities through
policies accepted by themselves. |
This Statement on the Co-operative
Identity was adopted at the 1995 Congress and General Assembly
of the International Co-operative Alliance, held in Manchester
to celebrate the Alliance's Centenary. Recommended to the
Congress by the ICA Board, the Statement was the product of
a lengthy process of consultation involving thousands of co-operators
around the world. The process was chaired by Ian MacPherson
of Canada, who prepared numerous drafts of the Identity Statement
and its Background Paper in an effort to understand the state
and needs of the co-operative movement at the end of the twentieth
century. He was assisted by a Resource Group that included
Raija Itkonen from Finland, Hans Munkner from Germany, Yehudah
Paz from Israel, Masahiko Shiraishi from Japan, Hans-Detlef
Wulker from Germany and Bruce Thordarson, Director-General
of the ICA.
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