PEI to launch International Year of Co-operatives with proclamation signing and reception Jan. 12

CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI – Jan. 3, 2012 – The two organizations responsible for co-operative development on the Island – the Prince Edward Island Co-operative Council (PEICC) and the Conseil de développement coopératif de l’Î.-P.-É. (CDC) – will officially launch the 2012 International Year of Co-operatives on PEI Thursday, Jan. 12, at 4 p.m. at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel.

All co-operators and Islanders are invited to attend the ceremony, which will include the signing of an official proclamation by a provincial minister, along with brief comments from the two host organizations and from federal and provincial representatives. Well-known Island personalities Nils Ling and Raymond J. Arsenault will be acting as masters of ceremonies for the bilingual event, which will also feature a reception with free hors d’oeuvres, live music, door prizes and a cash bar.

“Please join us as we celebrate the International Year of Co-operatives on Thursday, Jan. 12th, and spread the message that co-operative enterprises build a better world,” say the two host organizations.

On December 18, 2009, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution declaring 2012 the UN International Year of Co-operatives. The resolution, entitled « Co-operatives in Social Development », recognizes the diversity of the co-operative movement around the world and urges governments to take measures aimed at creating a supportive environment for the development of co-operatives.

On Jan. 12, official launching ceremonies for the International Year of Co-operatives will be held in all Canadian provinces. Many other countries are also planning countless events.

The PEICC and the CDC are in the midst of planning a number of events and activities to be held over the coming year to promote co-operatives throughout the province and to raise awareness of the value of the co-operative sector to the Island’s economy, culture and history.

Both organizations are proud to acknowledge that for well over a century, the co-op movement has been the economic backbone of many communities throughout PEI. It remains a strong and viable option for communities and sectors wanting to retain control of their own development and destiny.

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CUTLINE: Todd MacEwen, communications officer with the PEI Co-operative Council, and Velma Robichaud, co-op development officer with the Conseil de développement coopératif de l’Î.-P.-É., are busy planning the official launch of the 2012 International Year of Co-operatives, to be held Jan. 12. Everyone is invited to the party!

For more information:

Todd MacEwen
Communications officer
PEI Co-operative Council
(902) 569-7322
toddm@peicc.coop

Velma Robichaud
Co-op development officer
RDÉE PEI/Conseil de développement coopératif
(902) 854-3658
velma@rdeeipe.org

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