Co-operative

A cooperative (also coöperative or co-operative or co-op) has been defined in the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) Statement on the Co-operative Identity as "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." A simpler definition of a cooperative can be defined as a business owned by the people who use its services. They "are 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." Such enterprises are the focus of study in the field of Co-operative economics. Cooperatives also have a sponsored top level domain .coop, which informs users that they are dealing with a co-op.
=== News UK ===
Febraury 2011
The Co-operative announces "the most radical sustainability programme in UK corporate history" that will "...help build a more sustainable economy." 
February 18 co-operative.coop, February 18, 2011 
=== Diary UK ===
June 2010
*19 - 3 July Co-operatives Fortnight
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=== Resources ===
*Radical Routes offer 'how to' type publications, for example 'How to set up a Workers Co-op.'
*The Emilia Romagna region of northern Italy has more than 15,000 co-operatives, which contribute over one-third of the region’s GDP. Source: Worldwatch Institute / Towards Sustainable Economies
=== Related ===
UK
*Co-op online
References
 
Category:Cooperatives
category:LS Ideas Bank