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As you enjoy your beer, barbecue, and fireworks this Independence Day, take a moment to toast to the UN International Day of Cooperatives.
The first Saturday of July has been reserved by the United Nations as a day to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of cooperatives to cultural, social, and economic development around the world. This year’s theme, “Driving Global Recovery through Cooperatives,” highlights the strength and sustainability of cooperatives in driving endogenous economic growth, even in times of crises.
Despite worldwide instability of financial markets, food crises, and unequal trade agreements, co-ops provide a stable and local 
source of financial services, living wages, and fair market access for producers. As the US and international community question the value of foreign assistance (“Moyo Ignites Debate with ‘Dead Aid”), cooperatives empower workers to help themselves rather than rely on charity. Additionally, co-ops are required to maintain a dedication to social and environmental responsibility, equality, independence, democracy, community, and self-help, making them a guiding moral light in the current corporate accountability crisis.
