Watch the launch of the International Year of Cooperatives in Scotland

Scotland's Finance Minister John Swinney, representing the First Minister Alex Salmond, lays out his vision for co-operation in Scotland's economy.

"Co-operatives have had a very important part in Scotland's history," he said, "but have an even bigger part to play in Scotland's future".

Swinney was speaking at the reception hosted by the Scottish Parliament to celebrate the UN International Year of Cooperatives. Scottish Parliament member James Kelly pointed out that co-operatives contribute £3.4 billion to Scotland.

Babs MacGregor, from one of Scotland's longest-running co-ops Greencity, added: "People are looking for an alternative solution. The co-operatives offer that, because the people own the solution it's about democracy, workplace democracy. It's about everyone having a say".

Glasgow-based worker cooperative mediaco-op created this film at the reception, which sums up the spirit of the International Year in the words of some of the co-operators at the event.

Malcolm Brown, Head of Corporate Communications at Scotmid retail society, also gave a speech, which can be seen below. Mr Brown remembered Scotland's co-operative history and looked at the meaning of co-operation.

• For more about mediaco-op visit: www.mediaco-op.net