Distinguished co-operative fraternity of India, the largest and most vibrant in the world.

It gives me immense happiness to greet you all on this 57th Cooperative Week from 14th to 20th November 2010. It further gives me so much of happiness to see the beginning of week-long cooperative carnival on the birthday of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru who was one of the greatest believers of co-operative ideology and who was one of greatest statesmen of 20th century.

I must congratulate entire Indian co-operative fraternity for being fortunated of having the great leaders like Pandit Nehru who fostered the co-operative movement of such a great magnitude. Let me also share the special significance of Pandit Nehru in patronising the operations of ICA in Asia Pacific by facilitating and supporting opening of ICA’s office in New Delhi that he had inaugurated on this day exactly 50 years ago. I consider myself so fortunate to deliver today’s message on such a historic day.

Ladies and gentlemen, this morning has been historic and pretty sentimental because we went to pay our tributes to Pandit Nehru at his official residence and raised our cooperative spirits that would broaden our horizon for much wider outreach of co-operatives.

ICA, the International Co-operative Alliance, has an important place in the world history and has made a considerable impact on the evolution of co-operatives with its more than hundred year-old existences. Over the period during the last half-century, the co-operatives in the region have undergone remarkable changes and development. And now for the contemporary society of globe, they have become one of the most significant alternative growth-model and drivers in the global economic scenario.

In India, the ICA has seen the development of a cooperative movement that, for the number of cooperatives and members, is the largest in the world and thus has become an important and active part of the International Cooperative Alliance.

The economic crisis that the whole world faced has reopened the discussion on those themes that were considered extraneous to the logic of competition and responsibility. Today, people are beginning to realize that competitive attitude can no longer be seen as prevailing over competitors at all costs. This inevitably results in the destruction of resources harnessed only in the interests of a few.

Here, I would like to congratulate NCUI for setting very timely theme for 57th Cooperative Week. Co-operatives certainly have an important role in mitigating the impact of climate change and can be instrumental in mobilizing the involvement of communities in reducing the global warming by adopting smart and demonstrative practices.

In today’s context, cooperative principles and values are key factors in building a better world through operating its values-based enterprise and networks. Cooperative fundamentals lay down an important base but what is more important is to consistently put them into practice, establishing a long-term vision through day-to-day actions, making full use of it’s strengths and ability to change.

Time has come now, when we need to boost information and education on cooperatives, identify promising sectors, set up cooperatives in community activities and services of general interest, strengthen democratic control, use cooperative values in publicity, develop the networking and representative role of the international cooperative institutional system, develop its own standards and means that are detrimental to coops.

We, co-operators believe that those who show their interest in the cooperative enterprise and its system, as well as those who work for it, will appreciate very much the commitment aimed at linking entrepreneurial achievements with social needs. In particular, this involves protecting a model of society founded on respect for cultural identity and individual dignity, aiding the poor and creating opportunities for the disadvantaged, fighting against poverty and starvation in the world, and safeguarding the environment for the healthy globe and human kind.

I wish the Indian co-operative movement a resounding success in building the nation soaked in co-operative ethos and concern for the universe.

Thank you very much!

Chan Ho CHOI, PhD
Regional Director, ICA Asia-Pacific

14th November 2010