UPCOMING EVENTS
UN International Year Of Cooperatives 2025 (IYC 2025)
The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives, emphasizing the vital role these organizations play in sustainable development. This year's theme, "Cooperatives Build a Better World," highlights the enduring global impact of cooperatives and positions them as essential solutions to today's challenges. It showcases how cooperatives contribute to sustainable development across social, economic, and environmental dimensions, making them key drivers in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The theme also emphasizes the unique ability of cooperatives to promote inclusive growth and strengthen community resilience.
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The Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC), a global partnership of public and private institutions, will serve as the official host of the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC). They will champion and support cooperative enterprises as leaders in sustainable development.
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Objectives Of IYC 2025:
Raise Public Awareness
Highlight the contributions of cooperatives to sustainable development.
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Promote Growth and Development
Strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem and establishments for cooperatives.
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Advocate for Supportive Frameworks
Encourage the creation of enabling legal and policy environments for cooperatives globally.
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Inspire Leadership
Foster purposeful leadership and engage youth in the cooperative movement.
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Stay tuned for upcoming events celebrating this momentous year!
PAST EVENTS
International Day of Cooperatives 2022
This July 2nd, Cooperatives worldwide will celebrate the 100th International Day of Cooperatives (#CoopDay) under the theme "Building A Better World" by spreading the word about how our human-centered business model, inspired by the cooperative values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity and the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others, is building a better world.
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The Barbados Cooperatives Development Planning Committee will celebrate International Day of Cooperatives 2022 with three events. The first event will be a service of thanksgiving on Sunday, June 26th, 2022 commencing at 8 am. The second event will be a virtual cooperative forum on Wednesday, June 29th, 2022 starting at 6 p.m and the third and final event will be a Cooperative Fair on Saturday, July 2nd, 2022 at the Central Bank Church Village Green, Bridgetown, St. Michael from 9 am to 6 pm.
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We extend a hearty invitation to all members of Credit Unions, Cooperatives, The Ministry, and the public to come out to each event and support the Cooperative Movement as we work at Building A Better World!
Virtual Forum
June 29, 2022, 6:00 PM Online
This exciting virtual forum will explore the topic "Creating A Digital Platform For The Cooperative Sector".
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Special remarks will be given by the Honourable Sandra Husbands - Minister of State in Foreign Trade and Business.
The guest speaker for the evening will be Mr. Keith Downer - Co-founder of MyReadyCash.
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Register in advance for this event via the link below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the meeting.
Cooperative Fair
July 2nd, 2022, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM The Central Bank Church Village Green, Bridgetown, St. Michael
Cooperatives including some Credit Unions and their members will assemble for a day of fun and will be setting up booths and tents to sell produce, plants, and services to other members and the general public.
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Massages and pedicures will be offered by Caribbean Cosmetology Academy. Health checks will be provided by the Diabetes and Hypertension Association of Barbados.
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Entertainment will be provided throughout the day and Food and Refreshments will be on sale!
Cooperative Training Series I
A series of training initiatives will be launched in September 2021 via ZOOM to acquaint elected officers of our cooperatives with their roles and responsibilities in ensuring that their cooperative is run as efficiently as possible.
All elected officials are expected to attend these training sessions. Each cooperative is expected to pay a contribution to this exercise in the amount of $500.00. However, members of the Barbados Cooperative Business Association will only be required to pay $200.00.
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