Of Co-operative Conversations: Re-evaluating the Co-operative Identity

Of Co-operative Conversations: Re-evaluating the Co-operative Identity

By June Njoroge

2020 has marked the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the ICA statement of the Co-operative Identity.

This prompted reflection, reassessment and conversation, delivered under the banner ‘Co-operative Conversations.’ The International Co-operative Alliance and the Co-operative College UK hosted two online events, gathering co-operators in a spirited discussion.

The speakers were key in the formation and definition of the Statement on Co-operative Identity, its co-operative and ethical values as well its seven co-operative principles.

Martin Lowery Chair of the ICA’s Co-operative Identity Committee, believes the principles need to change with the times and making sure the language of the principles is as inclusive as possible. “The identity statement is an attempt to create global inclusion but at the same time we need to reflect the diversity between us,” he said.

The Statement on the Cooperative Identity states that 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.” In a written message Sir Graham Melmoth, former president of the ICA said, “The statement itself is an encapsulation of co-operative aims and principles. It is good to have it in such a manageable form, giving us all a workable definition of a co-operative. “In addition, Akira Kurimoto, Chair of the ICA Asia and Pacific Research Committee, said that 1995 was a tipping point for the co-operative movement. He explained that while in the 1980s co-operatives were not seen as a viable option for development, the United Nations changed its attitude after the identity statement was formalized.

Eventually it was adopted in the UN Guidelines for Co-operatives and ILO Recommendation 193 on the Promotion of Co-operatives. The Statement was drafted, debated and agreed upon in Manchester, by over 1,200 representatives from 90 countries.

This was 25 years ago in 1995 and it was guided by the late Professor Ian MacPherson and revised by the ICA board, with input from Co-operative movements from all over the world.

Mervyn Wilson, chair of the Co-operative Heritage Trust in the UK, who helped draft the statement, believes it provides a “crystal-clear shared cooperative identity” and warned against “tinkering” with it. Its language is already inclusive and leaves room for interpretation, he argued. Co-operative identity does not remain static and immutable.

The Statement encompasses seven principles which include: Voluntary and open membership, Democratic Member Control, Member Economic Participation, Autonomy and Independence, Education, Training and Information, Co-operation among Co-operatives and Concern for the Community.

Co-operatives are also based on the ethical 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.

To reflect on how we have shaped our identity over time