The International Co-operative Alliance
Statement of the Co-operative Identity
Definition:
A co-operative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily
to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations
through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.
Values:
Co-operatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility,
democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders,
co-operative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness,
social responsibility and caring for others.
Principles:
The co-operative principles are guidelines by which co-operatives put their
values into practice.
1st Principle: Voluntary and Open Membership
Co-operatives are voluntary organisations, open to all persons able to use
their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership,
without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.
2nd Principle: Democratic Member Control
Co-operatives are democratic organisations controlled by their members,
who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men
and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the
membership. In primary co-operatives members have equal voting rights
(one member, one vote) and co-operatives at other levels are also organ-ised
in a democratic manner.
3rd Principle: Member Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of
their co-operative. At least part of that capital is usually the common prop-erty
of the co-operative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if
any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allo-cate
surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing their co-operative,
possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be
indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the
co-operative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
4th Principle: Autonomy and Independence
Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help organisations controlled by their
members. If they enter into agreements with other organisations, including
governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms
that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their co-operative
autonomy.
5th Principle: Education, Training and Information
Co-operatives provide education and training for their members, elected
representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effec-tively
to the development of their co-operatives. They inform the general
public - particularly young people and opinion leaders - about the nature
and benefits of co-operation.
6th Principle: Co-operation among Co-operatives
Co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-operative
movement by working together through local, national, regional
and international structures.
7th Principle: Concern for Community
Co-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities
through policies approved by their members.
Source: International Co-operative Alliance News, No 5/6, 1995.
I IC CA A, 15, route des Morillons, 1218 Grand-Saconnex, Geneva, Switzerland (tel
+41 22 929 8888; fax 798 4122; email ica@coop.org; http://www.coop.org).
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