World Co-operative Day is marked annually on the 2nd July by co-operatives around the world. World Co-operative Day 2022 was a particularly historic event, given that it marked the 100th edition of the International Day of Co-operatives.

This year’s celebratory theme was Co-operatives Build a Better World.

World Co-operative Day was established by the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA: https://www.ica.coop/) in order to provide opportunities for the identity and successes of cooperatives to be showcased worldwide. The United Nation declared 2012 to be the year of co-operatives, further highlighting the truth about co-operatives – that they do indeed build a better world.

Co-operatives differ from other organisational structures in the principles they cherish – such as actively working towards democracy, social justice, education and benefits to the community.

The Central Co-operative Fund, together with the Co-operative Board, Koperattivi Malta and the Malta Co-operative Federation hosted a local celebration for Maltese Co-operatives held at the Corinthia St. George, facilitated by Mr. Keith Demicoli. The event was inaugurated by Dr. Luke Dalli, Chairperson of the Central Co-operative Fund, followed by speeches from Mr. Joe Abela, Chairperson for the Co-operative Board, Mr. John Malli, President of Malta Co-operative Federation,  and Ing. Mario Schembri, Secretary-General of Koperattivi Malta and Chief Executive Officer of Greenpak Co-operative,. Hon. Mr. Silvio Schembri, Minister for the Economy, European Funds and Lands as well as Hon. Robert Cutajar, MP Opposition Spokesperson for Co-operatives, SMEs and Self-Employed both highlighted their belief in the co-operative model and expressed their support for the local co-operatives.

This celebration provided all local co-operatives with the opportunity to unite and discuss important co-operative matters as well as network amongst themselves. The esteemed Prof. Gert Van Dijk, our visiting co-operative expert from The Netherlands and Key-Note speaker, shared valuable insights and offered several points for reflection which were further discussed during the workshops organised by the associations.

With special thanks to the Central Co-operative Fund for fully funding this event, as well as to Mr. Sandro Pecorella for providing sustainable food-grade hampers on behalf of Multi Packaging Ltd., all participants were also gifted a local hamper filled with homegrown local fruits and vegetables harvested by Koperattivi Malta’s own Farmers Central Co-operative.

With thanks to all those who made this event a success, Koperattivi Malta wishes a Happy 100th World Co-operative Day to all local and international co-operatives.