Active in: Y - Socio-economic Development with member co-operatives, as meso-level organisations, in many other sectors.
Summary Description
Founded in 1895, the International Co-operative Alliance is an independent, non-governmental organisation which unites, represents and serves co-operatives worldwide. It is the largest non-governmental organisations in the world.
ICA members are national and international co-operative organisations in all sectors of activity including agriculture, banking, fisheries, health, housing, industry, insurance, tourism and consumer co-operatives. Currently, ICA has 267 member organisations from 96 countries, representing approximately 1 billion individuals worldwide.
Source: http://www.ica.coop/ica/index.html
Aim & Objectives
Promoting and defending the Co-operative Identity, ensuring that co-operative enterprise is a recognised form of enterprise that is able to compete in the marketplace.
ICA's Priorities:
- raise awareness about co-operatives; be the voice of the co-operative movement;
- ensure that the right policy environment exists to enable co-operatives to grow and prosper;
- provide its members with key information, best practice and contacts (publications);
- provide technical assistance to co-operatives through its development programme.
Claims & Core Values
The recognition of the significant contribution of co-operatives to economic, social and cultural development at both the national and international level.
Co-operatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, co-operative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others.
Source: http://www.ica.coop/coop/principles.html
Activities
See ICA Activities and, with the United Nations, International Year of Co-operatives or, in the Actor Atlas: 2012 International Year of Co-operatives.
Resources
- Policy Guidance
- Publications
- Co-operative principles
