World Cooperative Day is marked annually on the 2nd July by cooperatives around the world. World Cooperative Day 2022 was a particularly historic event, given that it marked the 100th edition of the International Day of Cooperatives.

This year’s celebratory theme was Cooperatives Build a Better World.

World Cooperative Day was established by the International Cooperative 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 cooperatives, further highlighting the truth about cooperatives – that they do indeed build a better world.

Cooperatives 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 Cooperative Board, Koperattivi Malta and the Malta Cooperative Federation hosted a local celebration for Maltese Cooperatives 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 Cooperative Federation,  and Ing. Mario Schembri, Secretary-General of Koperattivi Malta and Chief Executive Officer of Greenpak Cooperative,. Hon. Mr. Silvio Schembri, Minister for the Economy, European Funds and Lands as well as Hon. Robert Cutajar, MP Opposition Spokesperson for Cooperatives, SMEs and Self-Employed both highlighted their belief in the cooperative model and expressed their support for the local cooperatives.

This celebration provided all local cooperatives with the opportunity to unite and discuss important cooperative matters as well as network amongst themselves. The esteemed Prof. Gert Van Dijk, our visiting cooperative 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 Cooperative.

With thanks to all those who made this event a success, Koperattivi Malta wishes a Happy 100th World Cooperative Day to all local and international cooperatives.