Building a Better Australia

What is a Co-op? 

Co-operatives are businesses owned and run by and for their members who have an equal say in what the business does and a share in its profits.

Driven by values rather than profit, co-operatives share internationally agreed principles and act together to build a better world through co-operation. Successful co-operatives around the world are allowing people to work together to create sustainable enterprises that generate jobs and prosperity, and provide answers to poverty and short-term business practices.

IYC 2012

The United Nations has declared 2012 as the International Year of Co-operatives. This is the first time the UN has conferred this status on a business structure. The UN has called on governments, international institutions and other stakeholders to support the development and growth of co-operatives worldwide.

The Australian Government has endorsed the Australian International Year of Co-operatives Secretariat as the national focal point for IYC in Australia.

To mark this historic event the Australian International Year of Co-operatives Secretariat published Building a Better Australia. To date no Australian publication has been produced for co-ops and mutuals. Accordingly, the Secretariat’s book provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for co-operatives, mutuals and service providers to tell their story.

Building a Better Australia will be officially launched at the National IYC 2012 Conference in October 2012.