In every corner of the world we will find co-operatives. They belong to a big family. In fact, it is one of the biggest in the world. International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) is the mother body for all types of co-operatives around the globe. It is an independent, non-governmental association, which unites, represents and serves co-operatives worldwide.
More than 70 countries are now in ICA. There are about 7,50,000 co-operative societies in the world. They form the base of the world co-operative movement. In their home countries, they have set up apex organizations. It is through these bodies they belong to the ICA family.
How can ICA unite and lead so many societies and people? ICA is an old organization. It was formed in England in 1895. Over the years ICA has developed ideas on how co-operatives should work. These ideas are called “principles”.
In the year 1995 in the centennial conference of ICA held in Manchester, England, ‘A Statement on the Co-operative identity’ was adopted.lt is as under: –
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.
Co-operatives a re 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.