ica americas newsletter - issue 9

Editorial

p. 2

Cooperative Social Balance: an efficient tool for

cooperatives in the 21st century

p. 3

Advocacy work of the cooperative movement

in the Americas p. 4

Parliamentarians support

the cooperative movement p. 6

Developing countries will

contribute almost half of global growth

p. 7

By 2020 cooperatives could be the fastest‐growing

enterprise model p. 8

Join the global network

of cooperatives p.9

The US Electric Cooperative

experience and the challenges ahead

p. 10

Inside

ELECTRICITY, ENVIRONMENT AND TECHNOLOGY: THE U.S. ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE EXPERIENCE Martin J. Lowery, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (page 10)

ADVOCACY WORK OF THE COOPERA-TIVE MOVEMENT IN THE AMERICAS The declaration of 2012 as International Year of Cooperatives provides a plat‐form to show that cooperatives are a tool for social cohesion and inclusion. (page 4)

DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO GLOBAL GROWTH According to a UN report, after a year of fragile and uneven recovery, global eco‐nomic growth started to decelerate on a broad front in mid‐2010. (page 7)

JOIN THE GLOBAL NETWORK OF CO-OPERATIVES The International Co‐operative Alliance has launched its Membership Campaign 2011: “Together we can make it possi‐ble”. (page 9)

Charles Gould: “By 2020 cooperatives could be the

fastest‐growing enterprise model” (page 8)

Interview to Luis Rubeo, from the Network of Cooperative Parliamentarians in the Americas (page 6)

COOPERATIVE SOCIAL BALANCE: AN EFFICIENT TOOL FOR COOPERATIVES IN THE 21ST CENTURY (page 3)

More organizations obtain ICA‐Americas certification

ICA-Americas Newsletter Issue Nº 9 // May 2011

ICA-Americas Newsletter is an e-publication of the

International Co-operative Alliance for the Americas

[email protected] Phone: + (506) 2296 0981

Fax: + (506) 2231 5842 PO BOX: 6648 -1000 San José, Costa Rica

ICA-Americas Newsletter // Issue Nº 9 // May 2011

{ The Editor’s Pen }

For the last five decades the pursuit of economic growth has been the single most im‐

portant policy goal across the world. However, this paradigm is being questioned even

by those who traditionally defended it tooth and nail. Likewise, here and there, people

are increasingly raising their voices to work together so as to build economies with “a

human face”.

This struggle has historically been part and parcel of the cooperative movement. Nowa‐

days there are more and more national governments and international organizations

who believe the myth of growth has failed the two billion people who still live on less

than 2 dollars a day.

For instance, the United Nations declared 2012 International Year of Cooperatives on

the grounds that: “Cooperatives, as social economic enterprises and self‐help organiza‐

tions, have a meaningful function in uplifting the socio‐economic conditions of their

members and their local communities in virtually all countries.”

If we have a look at statistical information about the evolution of the economy in the

Americas we will see that the future could be promising. In 2010, most countries in the

region managed to resist the effects of the crisis although it was a year marked by dev‐

astating natural disasters. The GDP increase was combined with employment recovery,

and as a result, a general recovery is expected in many of the countries of the conti‐

nent. However, as we stated before, economic growth is not enough, so a lot of atten‐

tion should be paid to such a modest employment recovery.

In this issue of ICA‐Americas Newsletter our readers will be able to find information

about Incidence actions ICA members are carrying out in an attempt to place coopera‐

tive matters in government agendas. Also, we will share with you a message from

Charles Gould ICA Director General, about the importance of making the most of the

International Year of Cooperatives and its legacy.

We want to present you with some of the tools ICA‐Americas provides. In this opportu‐

nity the Cooperative Social Audit, which will show our readers how ICA members can

evaluate a different aspect of the performance of their cooperatives. Lastly, since

growth and prosperity founded on ecological destruction is no foundation for a civilized

society, you will find the second edition of the Key Conferences on environmental is‐

sues, presented during the XVII ICA‐Americas Regional Conference.

We have a unique opportunity in our hands to spread the world about what we do and

how we do it. Let’s not miss it!

.

Manuel Mariño ICA‐Americas

Regional Director

2

The current society places great value on organiza‐

tions which contribute in a responsible way to the so‐

cial development of their communities. For coopera‐

tives, social responsibility is their nature since they

are organized according to a set of values and princi‐

ples. As a result, they have even more responsibility

than mainstream businesses to inform the whole soci‐

ety about the social consequences of their actions.

The Cooperative Social Balance of ICA‐Americas en‐

ables cooperative organizations to manage their so‐

cial goals with the same level of professionalism than

their economic objectives.

The Cooperative Social Balance integrates a set of indica‐

tors based on the seven cooperative principles. Such indica‐

tors mean additional benefits that cooperatives bring to

their members, employees and communities which go be‐

yond economic benefits. It is an important tool to analyze

the performance of single cooperatives but at the same

time it helps to create a clearer picture of the cooperative

movement, using objective and accurate measures.

ICA‐Americas has been working with its members to sensi‐

tize cooperatives on the importance of carrying out Coop‐

erative Social Balance reports within the organizations.

Since 2008, it has set up sensitizing and training workshops

in Costa Rica, Peru, Mexico, Dominican Republic and Argen‐

tina. Once cooperatives have applied the balance they can

get their ICA‐Americas Quality Certificate on Cooperative

Social Responsibility.

Liliana González and Juan Carlos San Bartolomé are respon‐

sible for the area of Cooperative Social Responsibility for

ICA‐Americas. In a recent interview with the ICA‐Americas

Newsletter they answered some of the most frequently

asked questions regarding this product.

What does the Cooperative Social Balance show?

San Bartolomé: The Cooperative Social Balance report

shows what is called “the cooperative difference” that is,

what sets us apart from any other kind of organization.

What is the importance of this tool?

González: Some time ago, a cooperative leader said that

the Cooperative Social Balance is like looking at yourself in

the mirror, to see yourself as you really are. That’s why it is

important. After we’ve done it we can say: these are my

achievements, this is what we lack, these are our strengths.

We objectively tell our members what exactly has been

done over a period of time”. There are certain aspects

which do not appear in traditional accounting but they do

appear in the Cooperative Social Balance.

Is the process to get ICA’s certification long?

San Bartolomé: The process to obtain ICA‐Americas certifi‐

cation is not long. The first step is the political decision of

the cooperative Board. Then ICA‐Americas organizes sensi‐

tizing workshops aimed at cooperative leaders. Each coop‐

erative will have some people who will be trained to be so‐

cial auditors of the organization so that it can carry out its

Cooperative Social Balance. Finally, ICA‐Americas audits the

balance report to be able to certify the organization’s per‐

formance.

González: It is important to highlight that the Cooperative

Social Balance needs to be understood as a process. It is not

image‐making or a marketing strategy. It means a total

compliance with the seven cooperative principles.

More organizations obtain ICA‐Americas certification

COOPERATIVE SOCIAL BALANCE: AN EFFICIENT TOOL FOR COOPERATIVES IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Ecuador: Unión de Cooperativas de Ahorro y Crédito del Sur (UCACSUR)

Peru: Credicoop Luz y Fuerza and Cooperativa Bolognesi

Argentina: Cooperativa de Electricidad y Servicios Anexos Ltda. de Zárate, Cooperativa Unión de Justiniano Posse and Con‐

federación Cooperativa de la República de Argentina (COOPERAR)

If your cooperative is interested in having further information about this tool, please contact us at:

[email protected].

CERTIFIED ORGANIZATIONS

ICA-Americas Newsletter // Issue Nº 9 // May 2011 3

In the United States, NCBA has called its members to

help spread the word about co‐operatives by contacting

Senators so that the Congress and the Obama admini‐

stration can understand the importance of the declara‐

tion of 2012 International Year of Cooperatives and en‐

gage them in its celebration.

In April 2011, The Canadian Co‐operative Association

(CCA) launched a campaign to inform parties and candi‐

dates participating in the May 2 federal election about

issues of importance to the co‐operative sector. Accord‐

ing to CCA, the results of the campaign were very positive

since they received a number of messages of support to

the cooperative movement from political leaders of

every party.

Similar initiatives are also taking place in South America.

In Brazil, for example, after the national elections in 2010

the Organization of Brazilian Cooperatives (OCB) has

been working on the development of a Parliamentarian

Front of Cooperatives (Frencoop) to be re‐installed in the

present National Congress.

In Colombia, the government presented before the Con‐

gress the document entitled: “National Development

Plan 2010‐2014: Prosperity for all”. The document has

important references to cooperatives and solidarity

economy enterprises, and various of the policies men‐

tioned meet the lifelong demands of the cooperative sec‐

tor.

Last but not least, it is important to highlight ICA‐

Americas initiative to create a Network of Cooperative

Parliamentarians in the Americas. This idea was launched

in November 2010, during the VI Meeting of Cooperative

Parliamentarians in the Americas held in Buenos Aires,

which was part of the XVII ICA‐Americas Regional Confer‐

ence. Seventeen parliamentarians of six countries

(Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay and Peru)

took part in the Meeting.

Below we share with our readers an overview of these

advocacy initiatives, which are providing the movement

with the necessary visibility to have the general public’s

recognition.

ADVOCACY ADVOCACY WORKWORK OFOF THETHE COOPERATIVECOOPERATIVE MOVEMENTMOVEMENT ININ THETHE AMERICASAMERICAS

Several ICA‐Americas member organizations in different

countries are developing actions to have an effective

influence on their governments and parliaments as a

means of placing cooperative issues on national

agendas. These are good times for cooperatives. The UN

declaration of 2012 International Year of Cooperatives

provides a platform for the movement to show the

general public cooperatives are a tool for social cohesion

and inclusion and that the coop business model has an

important role to play in years to come.


Senators Tim Johnson (D‐S.D.) and Thad Cochran (R‐

Miss.), along with 26 additional co‐sponsors, have intro‐

duced a resolution designating the year of 2012 as the

‘‘International Year of Cooperatives’’ and recognizing the

critical role that cooperatives play in the economy, both

nationally and worldwide. The resolution notes that coop‐

eratives operate in every industry sector and improve the

quality of lives of Americans, regardless of party affilia‐

tion, geography or demographics.

Senate Resolution 87 calls for the creation of a national

committee and “encourages highlighting the positive im‐

pact of cooperatives and developing new programs at na‐

tional and international levels”.

Thanks to the great efforts of those who contacted their

senators, this is a bipartisan proposal with 18 Democrats

and 10 Republicans as co‐sponsors. It is also a great edu‐

cational opportunity. When senators’ offices get calls

from multiple sectors on this same issue, it catches their

attention and helps them understand that cooperatives

are a broad‐based movement with support throughout

the nation.

With a federal election on May 2, the Canadian Co‐

operative Association (CCA) launched a campaign in April

to ensure that parties and candidates were aware of the

issues of importance to the co‐operative sector.

CCA created an election page on its website where co‐

operators were able to send an email to the candidates in

their ridings, or to the party leaders. The email asked can‐

didates to support the International Year of Co‐operatives

and three proposed 2012 legacy projects: a Co‐operative

Investment Plan, a co‐operative development fund fi‐

nanced jointly by the government and the co‐op sector,

and a permanent and expanded Co‐operative Develop‐

ment Initiative.

CCA also developed a non‐partisan election platform con‐

taining 13 recommendations dealing with a wide range of

issues of interest to CCA and its member organizations.

Copies of the election platform were sent to candidates,

and CCA posted their responses on the website.

The 8,500 co‐operatives and credit unions with over 17

million members in Canada contribute over 150,000 jobs

and are worth over $330 billion in assets.

COOPERATIVES IN CANADA LAUNCHED A CAMPAIGN TO RAISE AWARENESS ON COOPERATIVE ISSUES

SENATORS RECOGNIZE THE VITAL ROLE COOPERATIVES PLAY IN THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL WELL‐BEING OF THE UNITED STATES


Interview to Argentinean senator,

Luis Rubeo, about the Network of

Cooperative Parliamentarians in

the Americas.

Aiming at knowing the scope and objec‐

tives of this Network, ICA‐Americas News‐

letter interviewed Luis Rubeo, who is the

Secretary of the Advisory Council of the

Latin‐American Parliament.

How did parliamentarians receive the idea

of the creation of this Network?

It was received unanimously favorably dur‐

ing the last Latin‐American Parliament Con‐

gress, where I presented ICA‐Americas ini‐

tiative.

How is the Network integrated nowadays?

It is integrated by its founding members, the seventeen

parliamentarians from six countries (Argentina, Brazil, Co‐

lombia, Mexico, Paraguay and Peru) that took part in the

VI Meeting of Cooperative Parliamentarians in the Ameri‐

cas which was part of the XVII ICA‐Americas Regional Con‐

ference. At present we are waiting until ICA‐Americas sets

the grounds in terms or organization, planning and infra‐

structure.

What are the main benefits of taking part of a network

of this kind?

The benefits are numerous and varied. Cooperatives, par‐

liamentarians and the society as a whole will benefit from

this collaborative work. It will speed up all the processes

that need to be promoted to reach our objectives: popu‐

lar and participatory freedom within the democratic sys‐

tem

Which are the main objectives of this Network?

The objectives are endless. The first objective is the har‐

monization of the cooperative legislation in the Americas.

We also look for the promotion of the cooperative move‐

ment in order to obtain a favorable environment for its

growth and development..

We want to work for the consolidation of equality with

regards to the opportunities provided by the State. This

includes norms, productive measures, industrialization,

internal trade and exports, in which the cooperative

world must participate. It is a key component to

strengthen all the issues regarding progress and happi‐

ness of all nations.

Also, our goal is to have equal opportunities when it

comes to presence in the mass media. The legislation

should prohibit any kind of limitation which hinders the

presence of cooperatives in newspapers, radios, televi‐

sion. Cooperatives work for the defense of equal rights,

decent housing, education, healthcare and collective se‐

curity.

What are the difficulties this network may encounter?

Regarding this last questions, I can say the difficulties may

be the same the cooperative movement has had since it

was born. The only important thing is to do our best

within our organizations. This is our challenge and I am

sure we are going to be able to respond to it.

ICA-Americas Newsletter // Issue Nº 9 // May 2011

PARLIAMENTARIANS SUPPORT THE COOPERATIVE MOVEMENT

6


DEVELOPING COUNTRIES WILL CONTRIBUTE ALMOST HALF OF GLOBAL GROWTH

According to a United Nations report, after a year

of fragile and uneven recovery, global economic

growth started to decelerate on a broad front in

mid‐2010 and this slower growth is expected to

continue into 2011 and 2012. The United Nations

baseline forecast for the growth of world gross

product (WGP) is 3.1 per cent for 2011 and 3.5 per

cent for 2012, which is below the 3.6 per cent esti‐

mated for 2010 and the pre‐crisis pace of global

growth.

Weaknesses in major developed economies continue to

drag the global recovery and pose risks for world eco‐

nomic stability in the coming years.

The unprecedented scale of the policy measures taken by

Governments during the early stage of the crisis has no

doubt helped stabilize financial markets and jump‐start a

recovery. However, overcoming the structural problems

that led to the crisis—and those that were created by it—

is proving much more challenging and will be a lengthy

process. This contrasts with the strong GDP growth in

many developing countries and economies in transition,

which has contributed more than half of the total expan‐

sion of the world economy since the third quarter of 2009.

The report highlights the continued challenge posed by

high unemployment rates in many economies and outlines

a number of risks and uncertainties for the economic out‐

look such as a premature withdrawal of policy stimulus,

increased exchange rate volatility and a renewed widening

of global imbalances. Against this background, several pol‐

icy challenges are discussed in greater detail, including the

optimal design of fiscal policies as well as the coordination

between fiscal and monetary policies, the provision of suf‐

ficient support to developing countries in addressing the

fallout from the crisis and the coordination of policy meas‐

ures at the international level.

North America

Experts believe that North America in 2011 will show a

growth of approximately 2.3%. Then for unemployment,

2009 was at 9.3%, 2010 slightly higher at 9.7%, and projec‐

tions by year‐end 2011 to be down at 9.6%.

South America

The region is in recovery mode after being hit by the 2008‐

2009 world financial crises although compared to other

regions of the world has come out with less dam‐

age. Overall, the GDP dropped significantly in 2009 by

3.6% with recovery improving even more dramatically in

2010 and projections for 2011 being excellent. Regarding

unemployment rates, 2009 was listed at 8.4% with 2010

seeing a small drop to 8.2%.

Central America

While some countries within Central America have seen

some economic stability such as Panama, Costa Rica, and

Nicaragua being more developed, other less developed

countries face ongoing economic challenges. Studies show

that over the next decade, 4% of Central America’s GDP

will go into infrastructure.

Caribbean

The positive economic aspect is that for 2011, the GDP is

expected to see a 3.1% increase. In 2010, the GDP saw just

a 2.1% growth and while it is expected that outside financ‐

ing will be somewhat of a challenge to secure, again the

2011 GDP is expected to rise.

Recent reports show that a 0.6% decline in unemployment

was seen in 2010. That means that unemployment rate of

8.1% in 2009 dropped to 7.5% in 2010. In addition, it is

expected that by year‐end 2011, the rate will drop as

much as an additional 0.4%.

Source: United Nations and Economy Watch


2012: official slogan and logo released

“BY 2020 COOPERATIVES COULD BE THE FASTEST‐GROWING ENTERPRISE MODEL”

With the approach of the United Nations 2012 Inter‐

national Year of Co‐operatives Charles Gould, Direc‐

tor‐General of the ICA talked about the plans to ex‐

ploit the opportunities which the international year

brings to the movement. “The opportunity of the

United Nations International Year of Co‐operatives

in 2012 could not have happened at a better time.

Nine years from now, cooperatives could be the

fastest‐growing enterprise model in the world” he

said.

The International Cooperative Alliance is working hard to

celebrate the International Year and to make the most of

it in terms of legacy. “The real prize here is not to see

something in 2012 but to position the cooperative brand,

to re‐launch the cooperative brand in a way that we

could build on subsequent years” Gould said in a recent

interview to ICMIF. (To watch the full interview visit

http://www.2012.coop).

“A vision that the ICA Board is beginning to explore is

whether by the end of this decade, that is by 2020, coop‐

eratives could be the fastest‐growing enterprise model”

he said. “If we work hard, if we take advantage of the

year, if the plans are aligned, it could happen”.

According to Gould, the limits of other economic sys‐

tems, combined with the emergence of a generation for

whom technology‐aided coalescence and collaboration

are second‐nature, have made this the time for the co‐

operative message.

“I talk about the International Year frequently, not be‐

cause it is a solution to all that is wrong in the world, but

because it is a not‐to‐be‐missed opportunity for co‐

operatives everywhere to deliver a focused message at a

time ready for that message. Because the message we

will be delivering will be common among us, we will

demonstrate our scale, scope, and alignment, and can

capture the attention of people hungry for a new way”.

In a message to all ICA members, Charles Gould ex‐

plained ICA is raising funds now to ensure that “we can

seize this opportunity together”.

“We are developing the materials you will need to take

advantage of the Year ‐ key messages to promote the

Year; templates to incorporate the Year into your com‐

munications and packaging; posters to advertise the

Year; media kits to help tell the story. We are developing

the web site for www.2012.coop, where we will direct

those individuals who see the slogan in your communica‐

tions and who want to learn more. We are preparing the

stories that will ensure that the general public is exposed

to the international, multi‐sectoral dimension of co‐

operatives. And we are developing the social media

strategy that will allow us to attract especially that next

generation that is so critical to the future of co‐

operation” Gould explained.

Official slogan and logo

The official slogan and logo for the International Year

have been launched. The slogan is “Cooperative enter‐

prises build a better world” and the logo evokes the defi‐

nition of cooperative enterprises as autonomous associa‐


tions of persons united voluntarily to meet their com‐

mon economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations,

through a jointly owned and democratically controlled

enterprise.

Based on the slogan of the year, the logo features seven

persons working together to lift and support a cube. The

cube represents the various projects goals and aspira‐

tions upon which cooperative enterprises are built, and

the achievements that can be attained. The gender neu‐

tral figures represent the people factor central to the

cooperative model, and there are seven of them, to rep‐

resent the seven principles of the cooperative move‐

ment, i.e. voluntary and open membership, democratic

member control, member economic participation,

autonomy and independence, education, training, and

information, cooperation among cooperatives, and con‐

cern for community.

As illustrated by the logo, these seven principles work

together to allow cooperative members to achieve the

goals and desires that they would not have been able to

attain through their individual efforts.

Please go to http://social.un.org/coopsyear/documents/

IYC‐Logo‐Guidelines.pdf to review the guidelines before

using the logo as this document details proper uses and

design parameters for the logo and graphic tagline.

Defense and promotion of cooperative values and principles

Representation of the cooperative enterprise and the interests of the ICA members in multilateral organizations, as well as other global and regional institutions

Definition and promotion of the cooperative difference

Promotion and coordination of technical assistance for cooperative development

Multiple opportunities for contact among cooperatives

Access to cooperative information

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[email protected]

ICA-Americas Newsletter // Issue Nº 6 // September 2010 10 ICA-Americas Newsletter // Issue Nº 9 // May 2011 10

Key conferences by distinguished personalities of the cooperative movement

THE US ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE EXPERIENCE AND THE CHALLENGES AHEAD

Considering the complexities that we face today in a

world in which electricity plays such a critical role, four

questions may begin to clarify the boundaries of our

current and future technology opportunities:

Do we need a “smarter” electric grid?

How energy efficient can we become?

Can innovative technology solve the carbon question?

What can we do for those who have no access to elec‐

tricity?

Do we need a “smarter” electricity grid?

There are significant efficiency improvements that we

can make to the electricity delivery system. These in‐

volve reducing the need for additional generating capac‐

ity, avoiding wasted consumption of kilowatt hours and

finding ways to integrate renewable energy sources

such as wind and solar energy into the electric grid. The

economic ideal behind the building of a “smarter” elec‐

tricity grid is that we can balance supply and demand in

real time, thereby not wasting energy at either end of

the production‐consumption chain.

The first order of business is to determine whether

automation and new information technologies can

make a significant difference in improving the efficiency

of system operations and integrating renewable energy

sources. The second important consideration is whether

consumer behavior can be expected to change if more,

and more detailed, energy consumption information is

made available to them. Electric cooperatives in the

United States, with financial support from the U.S. De‐

partment of Energy, are working to demonstrate the

potential of “smarter” grid technology in these areas.

The XVII Regional Conference of ICA‐Americas had the preservation of the planet as a central theme. The key conference “Electricity, Environment and Technology", which was delivered by Martin J. Low‐ery, focused on the U.S experience and also on the challenges cooperatives face to become more en‐ergy‐efficient.

Electricity, Environment and Technology: The U.S. Electric Cooperative Experience By Martin J. Lowery *


How efficient can we become?

There is a great deal of interest today in becoming more

efficient in everything that we do, and most particularly

in the use of energy. If we consider what electricity de‐

livers from an end‐use perspective, it is heating and

cooling, refrigeration, lighting and motor power. As co‐

operatives, we can advocate for higher efficiency stan‐

dards in each of these areas. In addition, we can use

technology to control the impact of these end‐uses on

the peak demand for electricity. According to recent

surveys by the federal government, electric coopera‐

tives in the United States have significantly more peak

demand control technology on‐line today than the mu‐

nicipal and for‐profit segments of the electric industry.

Among the break‐through areas that can make a major

difference in electricity consumption are energy man‐

agement systems, heat pump water heaters, geother‐

mal systems, compact fluorescent lights and light‐

emitting diode lamps. These technologies will not meet

their greatest potential unless we see global support for

their introduction. We can work together as coopera‐

tives to make that happen. Most electric cooperatives

in the United States are participants in the Touchstone

Energy Cooperatives program, bringing new ideas for

energy efficiency to their members. You can learn more

about this work at www.TogetherWeSave.coop.

Can innovative technology solve the carbon question?

Among the ideas that have recently gained momentum

in the debate regarding CO2 and global climate change

is the importance of addressing the entire carbon cycle.

CO2 at the point of combustion in a power plant or an

automobile is the focus of attention regarding current

mitigation approaches. Reforestation is also being con‐

sidered as a global opportunity. Imagine, at the same

time, that there are likely to be new and beneficial uses

of carbon that have not yet been discovered.

Researchers are looking at commercial uses of CO2, in‐

cluding transportation fuels, plastics and fertilizers. Re‐

search is on‐going to demonstrate techniques to cap‐

ture CO2 and to identify chemical and biochemical proc‐

esses that lead to new commercial products. CO2 is

already manufactured for the purpose of injection into

oil wells for enhanced oil recovery. Many additional

commercial applications are possible. U.S. electric co‐

operatives, through the

Cooperative Research

Network, are collaborat‐

ing with government and

non‐governmental agen‐

cies to identify the most

promising approaches.

What can we do for

those who have no ac‐

cess to electricity?

Over two billion people

on this earth have no

access to electricity, and

another 1.5 billion have

limited access on a daily

basis. There is much work to be done to address this

important quality‐of‐life issue. A World Bank study of

the rural electrification program in Bangladesh, a pro‐

gram supported since 1977 by the U.S. electric coopera‐

tives, identified dramatic improvements in reducing in‐

fant mortality, improving sanitation and water quality

and in expanding girls’ access to education as a direct

result of the introduction of electricity to rural commu‐

nities. We should all advocate for the creation of many

more rural electric cooperatives throughout the devel‐

oping world. For more information on the work of the

U.S. electric cooperatives globally, visit

www.nrecainternational.coop.

Cooperatives exist for one purpose, and one purpose

only – to do what is right for their members. When we

assess technology options, we do so from the unique

viewpoint of the best interest of our members – particu‐

larly stressing the cooperative values of self‐help and

self‐responsibility. This truly does put us, as coopera‐

tives, in the best position to evaluate what makes sense

and what delivers the highest value.

* Martin J. Lowery is the Executive Vice President, External

Affairs, of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Associa‐

tion of the United States, an organization of over 900 elec‐

tric cooperatives in 47 states serving 42 million people. Dr.

Lowery is also currently Chair of the National Cooperative

Business Association of the United States and a member of

the board of the Ralph K. Morris Foundation. He holds a

Ph.D. in philosophy from Duke University.

ICA-Americas Newsletter // Issue Nº 3 // September 2009 An e-publication of International Cooperative Alliance for the Americas (ICA Americas) ICA is an independent, non-governmental association which unites, represents and serves co-operatives worldwide Editor: Manuel Mariño // Realization team: Natalia Acerenza, Virginia Pérez Auza and Jorge Cabrera (jcse) © ICA Americas // Contents can be reproduced without authorization on condition that the source is indicated

12

ICA-Americas Newsletter // Issue Nº 9 // May 2011 An e-publication of International Co-operative Alliance for the Americas (ICA Americas) ICA is an independent, non-governmental association which unites, represents and serves co-operatives worldwide Editor: Manuel Mariño // Realization team: Natalia Acerenza, Virginia Pérez Auza and Jorge Cabrera (jcse) © ICA Americas // Contents can be reproduced without authorization on condition that the source is indicated

SHORT ica NEWS

The International Co‐operative Alliance, together with its specialized sectoral organizations, ICA‐Americas

Regional Office and ICA members in Mexico (Federación de Cajas Populares Alianza, Federación Nacional de

Cooperativas Financieras UNISAP, Confederación Nacional Cooperativa de Actividades Diversas de la Rep‐

ública Mexicana y Caja Popular Mexicana) are working on the preparation of the next ICA General Assembly

to be held in Cancun, Mexico, 14‐18 November, 2011. During this event ICA will officially launch the Interna‐

tional Year of Co‐operatives 2012. The academic programme offers top level conferences and workshops

which will take place during the week. The dedicated website http://www.ica2011.coop will be available soon

containing the programme and general information about the event; and it will enable participants to register

online. For further information write an email to [email protected].

The International Co‐operative Alliance is organizing the third global fair for the co‐operative movement: ICA

ExpoCoop 2012 ‐ Manchester – UK, that will be held from October 31 to November 2, 2012. More informa‐

tion about how to participate can be found at http://www.icaexpo.coop. Cooperatives form the Americas in‐

terested in participating as visitors or exhibitors can request information to [email protected].

The International Co‐operative Alliance is currently recruiting an ICA‐Africa Regional Director, reporting to

the Director General of the ICA and the Regional Board of ICA Africa. Interested applicants should forward a

copy of their CV with a covering letter outlining how their experience and skills match the key requirements of

the post by 30 June, 2011 to: [email protected] To find out more, please click here.

The deadline for entries for the 2011 dotCoop Global Awards for Cooperative Excellence has been changed

to 1th August, 2011 to ensure that all interested co‐ops and co‐op organizations have time to submit their

entries. The Awards recognize the application of co‐operative values and principles to drive co‐operative and

business success. Visit www.globalawards.coop for information about the award criteria and submission proc‐

ess. Completed entries should be emailed to [email protected] For more information, please con‐

tact dotCoop at [email protected] or +1‐202‐383‐5453.

The International Co‐operative Alliance continues growing globally. Nowadays ICA has more than 250 mem‐

ber organizations from 93 countries that together reunite more than 800 millions cooperators around the

world.

All of your suggestions and proposals regarding the newsletter’s contents are very important for us, since our primary goal is to provide a publication enriched by your opinions.

Please send your comments to: [email protected]

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ica americas newsletter - issue 9

Documents

cooperative movement

efficient tool

san jos

po box

editors pen