2012 International Year of Co-operatives

The United Nations has designed 2012 the International Year of Co-operatives. Over 1.4 million co-operatives from across the globe will be coming together to promote effective and sustainable ways of doing business.

Co-operatives across the world will celebrate the start of the International Year of Co-operatives on January 12th. Co-operatives UK will be kicking off the year with many different events, including an online panel with The Guardian, with key figures from the co-operative sector.

Manchester University Press are planning their own celebrations to mark the publication of The Hidden Alternative. Two simultaneous launches will take place on the 12th January. An event at Waterstone's Gower Street in London, will be opened by the eminent co-operative scholar Professor Stephen Yeo. Economist and co-operative expert Robin Murray will open the event in Manchester.

The Hidden Alternative demonstrate that co-operation offers a real and much needed alternative for the organisation of human economic and social affairs, one that should establish its place at the forefront of public and academic discussion and policy making.

The book includes chapters on education, fair trade, politics and governance, planning and sustainability and on how co-operatives have coped with the global economic crisis.
If you would like to attend one of the launch events, please contact rebecca@co-op.ac.uk to confirm places are still available on the guest list.