President Higgins to address major Irish co-operatives event

Co-operative Alliance Ireland to mark UN International Year of Co-operatives in Dublin

Irish Co-operative Organisation Society, Irish League of Credit Unions and National Association of Building Co-operatives join forces to highlight the benefits of co-operative enterprise.

DUBLIN, Ireland – The President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins will join over 200 Irish industry and public sector leaders along with Research & Innovation Minister Sean Sherlock, T.D. and the President of the International Co-operative Alliance, Dame Pauline Green, to mark the UN International Year of Co-operatives at a national conference in Croke Park on May 15th, it has been announced.

This unique event has come about through an alliance of the three major co-operative groupings in Ireland – the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS), NABCO (the National Association of Building Co-operatives) and the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU).  The major national conference will be chaired by economist David McWilliams.  It will address The Way Forward for co-operative enterprise and will identify how co-operative developments can contribute to the renewal and recovery of the economy, the growth of indigenous enterprises, sustainable jobs creation on a regional and national basis and the overall future competitiveness of Ireland.

In this United Nations International Year of Co-operatives, the establishment of new indigenous co-operative businesses has an important role to play in the growth of our economy for the future.   There are opportunities for development and expansion by co-operatives that are market focused, well governed and strategic in their business development ambitions.

Seamus O’Donohoe, Chief Executive, ICOS said:  “Ireland has a long and proud tradition of co-operative enterprise. As a sector we must share and widely promote the key attributes that have contributed to the success of co-operatives enterprises in Ireland.  Moreover, we must grasp this occasion to further advance and strengthen the business of co-operation for the future.”

Declan Hudson, Chairman, NABCO said: “Co-operative enterprise has a vital role to play in Ireland’s social and economic renewal.  This event provides the opportunity to recognise and support the contribution that co-operatives make through local democratic control of social and commercial enterprise to strengthening the communities in which they are based.”

Kieron Brennan, CEO, Irish League of Credit Unions said:  “2012 provides the opportunity for all co-operatives to actively highlight to their members, customers and their communities at large, the essential role that co-ops have to play in stimulating economic growth and societal well-being across Ireland for the future.  We look forward to playing our part in promoting this agenda,”

The CEO’s of ICOS, NABCO and the League of Credit Unions will highlight the role of their organisations and show what co-ops have already achieved. They will also explore the challenges and opportunities for the future of co-operation in Ireland.

Other international experts who will address the conference include Peter Couchman, (Chief Executive of the Plunkett Foundation in Oxford), David Rodgers (President of ICA Housing) and Prof Gert van Dijk (Co-operative expert from the Netherlands and former President of COGECA – the organisation representing European agricultural and fishing co-ops). Other speakers are Jimmy Johnstone, President, Irish League of Credit Unions and Brian Branch, President, World Council of Credit Unions.

The Co-operative Alliance – Marking the UN International Year of Co-operatives

Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) – ICOS represents co-operatives whose associated businesses have a combined turnover in the region of €12 billion, with some 150,000 individual members, employing 12,000 people in Ireland, and a further 24,000 personnel overseas.   www.icos.ie

NABCO (National Association of Building Co-operatives) – NABCO is Ireland’s national association representing, promoting and developing the co-operative housing movement. Since 1973 it has supported locally-owned and locally-managed societies across Ireland to meet their own housing need through self-help and mutual effort.

Irish League of Credit Unions – The Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) was established in 1960 to represent & service affiliated credit unions on the island of Ireland.  The ILCU now represents the interests of almost 500 credit unions in Ireland. Membership of the ILCU is open to every credit union in Ireland.  Serving the communities in which they are based, credit unions meet the savings and financial services needs of over 2.9 million members nationwide.

United Nations International Year of Co-operatives 2012

Co-operatives demonstrate that it is possible to pursue economic viability, prosperity and social responsibility as mutual priorities.  Co-operatives are business enterprises owned and controlled by the members that they serve. Their member-driven nature is one of the most clearly differentiating factors of co-operative enterprises. This means that decisions made in co-operatives are balanced by the pursuit of profit, and the needs and interests of members and their communities.  Co-operatives take many forms and operate in all sectors of society. Most share a unique set of principles which keep them attuned with their member-driven ethos.

International years are declared by the United Nations to draw attention to and encourage action on major issues. The International Year of Co-operatives is intended to raise public awareness of the invaluable contributions of cooperative enterprises to poverty reduction, employment generation and social integration. The Year will also highlight the strengths of the co-operative business model as an alternative means of doing business and furthering socioeconomic development.