We are pleased to launch the 2020 International Day of Cooperatives campaign. As you know, the theme this year is Cooperatives for Climate Action, and we designed this year’s campaign to engage and inspire members to take action against climate change. Many of you in the cooperative movement are already very active in this arena, and I applaud you. But as you are also aware, there is still much more to do.

The COVID-19 pandemic has proven to us that the cooperative movement has taken many steps to help communities adjust the way we now have to live, find innovative and cost-effective ways to provide care for the sick, and come together as cooperatives to offer solidarity and support. This pandemic has also proven to us that those who have less are the ones who suffer the most.
 
Climate change continues to affect the most vulnerable population on our planet, and we must continue to take action to change this. This year to highlight the importance of taking action against climate change, and to encourage others to also make a difference – no matter how small – we invite you to visit the ICA website to learn about our plans for this special day. Among the activities are:

• An interactive map that will show what cooperatives worldwide are doing to take action against climate change. (Thank you DotCoop for taking this on again this year!)
• A photo competition – the best one that illustrates #Coops4ClimateAction wins!
• An invitation to submit a short personal video titled, “In 10 years, I hope…” that will tell us what you hope the outcome #Coops4ClimateAction will be in 10 years. The most inspiring ones will be included in a short video to be produced for this year’s event.

ICA-AP is also organising three webinars in the run-up to the International Day of Cooperatives. The first will be on 17th June, 2020, with the theme: Harnessing renewables. Experts from the field and co-operators will come together to provide actionable steps for the adoption of renewable sources of energy. On 2nd July, we bring a panel discussion with the authors and editors of the newly launched book: Waking the Asia Pacific Co-operative Potential; and on 4th July, the International Day of Cooperatives, we bring member perspectives on celebrating cooperatives in climate action.

The cooperative movement can use this important opportunity to take a stand as a global actor of change and collaborate with its partners within the international community. This collective effort can significantly impact the climate agenda and achieve a fair, green and just transition for all communities, leaving no one behind.

We encourage you to promote #CoopsDay and #Coops4ClimateAction widely on all your social media channels. This event will focus on the contributions of cooperatives to combating climate change, one of the most severe challenges facing our planet during the 21st century.

Stay tuned for updates on activities planned to mark the International Day of Cooperatives!