Congratulations on the International Day of Cooperatives from Euro Coop’s President

Dear colleagues, friends,

On 6 July, we celebrate the International Day of Cooperatives together with cooperatives worldwide. This year’s theme is “Co-operatives build a better future for all”, in line with the motto of the United Nations Future Summit. It states: “Multilateral solutions for a better future”. This proves that cooperatives are not only working for their members today, but are also effective in the future. Why? Because only sustainable, reliable companies have a future. In recent years, we have proved that cooperatives meet the needs of solving environmental, economic and social problems – all of which are of great importance for the future.

Cooperatives also work for the future of young people. Therefore, it is important to inspire them to work in cooperatives and encourage them to implement their own ideas in new cooperatives. To do this, they need to know the values and principles of cooperatives. Therefore, our task is to promote cooperative ideas in the educational sphere as well. Education is the key to a better future. And the Ukrainian consumer cooperation, which has an entire educational sector with universities and colleges, is doing a great job.

At this time, when Ukraine has been attacked by Russia, it is not easy for the younger generation to build a future. Because the future is always associated with hope for a better life. But it is important to give this hope now to motivate the younger generation to work on their future. The start of accession negotiations with the European Union is an important step in this direction.

This year’s motto of our professional holiday should be seen as a motto in a broader context. Therefore, when it comes to a better future for all, we should consider all people of the world. Including those living in the Global South. After all, in Europe we eat fruits, chocolate and coffee that is grown, produced and imported from Africa or South America. We wear clothes made in Asia, and our mobile phones have parts made in different countries around the world. The rights of people who produce goods for the European market are often not adequately protected. Consumer cooperatives set a very good example here. Fair trade has always played an important role in providing a diverse range of products. And our values and principles are based on cooperation between cooperatives. And we have already achieved many good results in this way and will continue to do so.

Together we can achieve a lot through the contribution of cooperatives to a better future for all.

I wish you all a happy International Day of Cooperatives and a bright future for Ukraine and its people.