Friday, November 30, 2012

"CANADIANS FRONT AND CENTRE AT IYC CLOSING CEREMONY"

For those that weren't aware, 2012 was the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) observed by the United Nations (UN). Every year the UN observes a new focus / topic(s) for the year ahead. Previous years focused on People of African Decent (2011), Chemistry (2011), Forests (2011), Youth (2010-2011), Biodiversity (2010), the Gorilla (2009), and many more. The year 2013 is set to recognize Water Cooperation and Quinoa. More on International Years observed by the UN can be found here.

Anyways, back to the reason of this post! So this year was a really neat year to be embarking on an internship through a Cooperative organization [the Canadian Cooperative Association (CCA)] given the emphasis placed on the Cooperative Business Model this year and the work cooperatives carry out globally. I had a really great opportunity to participate in a the ICA Africa Annual and Regional conference this year, as it was being held right here in Rwanda! Really neat!

Well the UN officially wrapped up the IYC last week in New York City, and it turns out the Canada played a significant role in the closing ceremony. Below is a News Brief I received in the CCA Weekly News Briefs e-mail I subscribe to that mentions Canada's role in the closing ceremony. Enjoy! :-)

CANADIANS FRONT AND CENTRE AT IYC CLOSING CEREMONY
Canadian co-operators were front and centre as the United Nations held its official closing ceremony for the International Year of Co-operatives on November 19-20.

Five Canadians had speaking roles at the event, which was webcast live on the Co-operative News Global News Hub.

In her keynote speech, Monique Leroux, president, CEO and chair of Desjardins Group, focused on the important role young people can play in both the present and future of the co-operative movement.

"You need to dream big and not be afraid to share your dreams with others...," she said. "The co-op model belongs to all of us, but it will be your heritage. It will be yours to pass on to the next generation as we are doing with you."

Jack Wilkinson, former president of both the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, was featured in a panel discussion on co-operatives and food security.  Stephanie Guico, who managed the youth program at the International Summit of Cooperatives, moderated a session on co-operatives and youth.  Tanya Gracie, IYC manager for the Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) and Marco Plourde, public relations advisor at the Fédération des caisses populaires acadiennes, were both speakers at the youth forum.

Participants in the youth forum issued a statement on co-operatives and youth, which urged that young people engage with co-operatives "as a viable and promising option for their transition to full economic, social and civic participation."  The UN is encouraging young people around the world to sign the statement, and others to support it.  To do so, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2QTY8RT.

About a dozen Canadians attended the UN event. In addition to those mentioned above, they included Denyse Guy, CCA's executive director;  Michaël Béland, director of communications and programs for the Conseil canadien de le coopération et de la mutualité; Alison Barter, coordinator of youth services at the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Co-operatives; Jamie Felsch, coordinator of the Manitoba Youth Cooperative Camp; and Duane Nicol, manager of marketing and communications at Assiniboine Credit Union in Winnipeg.

Go to http://s.coop/12o98 for full coverage of the event on the
Global News Hub. 

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