Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Ms Elizabeth Thabethe invites members of the Johannesburg Press Club to the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives launch.
Media Breakfast Session
Date: Monday, 12 March 2012
Time: 09h30
Venue: National Empowerment Fund Offices, West Block, 187 Rivonia Road, Morningside
RSVP before 12h00 on Sunday, 11 March 2012 to:
Bongani Lukhele
Cell: 074 299 8512
E-mail: ail on Blukhele@thedti.gov.za
NB. Attendance is strictly by prior confirmation due to limited seats.
Programme
Programme Director: Mr Hopewell Radebe
- 10h00 - Opening Remarks: Mr Jeffrey Ndumo, Deputy Director-General: the dti
- 10h10 - Message of Support: Mr Lawrence Bale, President: South African National Apex Cooperative (SANACO)
- 10h20 - Message of Support: Mr Wellings Maseko, National Chairperson: National Apex Cooperative Federation of South Africa (NACOFSA)
- 11h00 - Keynote Address: Ms Elizabeth Thabethe, MP. Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry
- 11h25 - Vote of Thanks
Background Information
Launch of the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives, 2012 in South Africa on Monday, 12 March 2012
In 2009 the UN declared 2012 as the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives (UN IYC, 2012). This was adopted in its Resolution A/RES/64/136.
The theme for the UN IYC is “Cooperative Enterprises Build A Better World”.
The UN declares International Years as a means of drawing attention and encouraging action on major issues.
The objectives of the UN IYC, 2012 are to:
“Increase awareness: Increase public awareness about cooperatives and their contributions to socio-economic development and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
Promote growth: Promote the formation and growth of cooperatives among individuals and institutions to address common economic needs and for socio-economic empowerment.
Establish appropriate policies: Encourage Governments and regulatory bodies to establish policies, laws and regulation conducive to cooperative formation and growth.”
All countries who are signatories to the UN Resolution are encouraged to carry out activities that will promote the three objectives of the UN IYC, 2012
We will be hosting a launch event for UN IYC, 2012 in South Africa, to create awareness of the UN IYC, 2012 and to indicate the intent of government, cooperatives, employers and employees organizations to work together in 2012 to realise the objectives of the year.
The UN Resolution [1] that is entitled 'Cooperatives in Social Development' recognises the diversity of the cooperative movement around the world and urges governments to take measures aimed at creating a supportive environment for the development of cooperatives; recognises “that cooperatives, in their various forms, promote the fullest participation in the economic and social development of all people, including women, youth, older persons, persons with disabilities and indigenous peoples, are becoming a major factor of economic and social development and contribute to the eradication of poverty”.
It also notes the “potential role of cooperative development in the improvement of the social and economic conditions of the indigenous peoples and rural communities”.
The Resolution encourages Member States “to take advantage of the International Year of Cooperatives as a way of promoting and raising awareness of their contribution to social and economic development.”
