Co-operators in Cancun – Monday to Wednesday

Thousands of co-operators from around the world are starting to arrive in Mexico for a major international meeting in the run up to the International Year of Co-operatives.

Thousands of co-operators from around the world are starting to arrive in Mexico for a major international meeting in the run up to the International Year of Co-operatives. Delegates representing countries around the world are set to take part in the International Co-operative Alliance's bi-annual General Assembly in Cancun. The Assembly official starts on Wednesday afternoon, but a series of private meetings and seminars between various groups started on Monday. Keep up-to-date with this website for full coverage of the week, including live video streams of various sessions. The ICA Board met on Monday to finalise its major activities for the United Nations' International Year of Co-operatives throughout 2012. On Tuesday, the various bodies that encompass the ICA are set to meet. These include regional meetings for Asia & Pacific; Americas and Africa. Other meetings include the International Co-operative Agricultural Organisation; CICOPA (International Organisation of Industrial, Artisanal and Service Producers' Co-operatives); International Co-operative Banking Association; International Co-operative Housing Organisation and International Co-operative Alliance Gender Equality Committee. The dotCoop Board Meeting is also expected to take place on Tuesday. Prior to the opening of the General Assembly on Wednesday, various ICA bodies will host their own public meetings. These include the Consumer Co-operatives Worldwide (Building a Better World – Consumer Co-operatives Commitment for 2012); the International Co-operative Fisheries Organisation; ICA Housing Plenary; International Co-operative Agricultural Organisation; CICOPA; and International Health Co-operative Organisation.  The ICA's Director-General Charles Gould will also host a session looking at best business practice and case studies on the Global 300 co-operatives. While the ICA Regional Office for the Americas will host a plenary session on social audit and the International Co-operative Banking Association will look at the co-operative difference in the banking sector. The International Co-operative Housing Organisation is set to host a session on Environmental Sustainability & Climate Change: Sustainable Sources of Timber by Housing Co-operatives.  The Opening Ceremony and the ICA's launch of the International Year will happen in afternoon in Mexico. Dignataries from the Government, ILO, UN, and co-operative leaders will discuss the Year. • For further coverage of the ICA's General Assembly, follow our special page dedicated to the conference.

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