Press Release No. L/26/2000, SG/SM/7471, OBV/149
30 June 2000
(Reissued as received.)
SECRETARY-GENERAL STRESSES NEED TO WORK TOGETHER
TOWARDS SHARED GOAL OF 'MORE JUST, MORE INCLUSIVE
AND MORE PROSPEROUS WORLD'
Following is the text of Secretary-General Kofi Annan's message on the occasion of the United Nations International Day of Cooperatives, which will be observed on 1 July:
A veteran actor in a new age, the Cooperative Movement remains as relevant today as at any time in its history. Today, our new globalizing world is creating unprecedented opportunity and wealth. But so far, it has not been a universally cooperative endeavour. Too many people in our world are still excluded from its benefits. Too many view it as a threat --- to their jobs, their communities and their way of life --- for this to be considered a truly global age. We must ensure that the opportunities of the new economy are available to all, for the benefit of all.
In that challenge, the cooperative movement has an important role to play. Founded on the principles of private initiative, entrepreneurship and self-employment, underpinned by the values of democracy, equality and solidarity, the movement can help pave the way to a more just and inclusive economic order. An indispensable actor in the economic and social life of nations, it is a natural partner of the United Nations in the creation of opportunity and the empowerment of people.
In many countries, cooperatives have developed into powerful and prosperous economical entities with extensive organizational structures at the local, regional, national and international levels. The most successful have grown into large-scale, professionally run and solidly financed enterprises, who operate in full competition with commercial firms while emphasizing expertise that enables people to help themselves. In this, they serve as an example to all who like to see even greater private sector involvement in development initiatives.
And so, on this first International Day of Cooperatives of the 21st century, let us pledge to make full use of the tools that the cooperative movement has given us. Let us work together towards our shared goal of a more just, more inclusive and more prosperous world.