ILO-ICA Memorandum of Understanding

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ILO-ICA Memorandum of Understanding (2004)

The ICA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on 10 February 2004 to strengthen further the existing partnership with the ILO through implementing a "Common Co-operative Agenda".

ILO-ICA MoU (pdf)

ICA President, Ivano Barberini and ILO Director-General, Juan Somavia, sign the ICA-ILO Memorandum of Understanding.

Memorandum of Understanding between the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA)

Whereas, as early as 1919, formal relations started between the ILO and the ICA, by inclusion of the ICA in the list of international organiSations having consultative status in the ILO's Governing Body and International Labour Conference (ILO Constitution Article 12/3), bearing in mind that the first Director-General of the ILO, Mr. Albert Thomas, came from the co-operative movement and served also on the ICA Board in 1920s;

Whereas, technical co-operation and collaboration started in 1920 between the ILO and the ICA in order to promote co-operatives with the establishment of the Co-operative Branch of the ILO;

Whereas the ICA worked together with the ILO and its constituents to support the adoption and implementation of the ILO Recommendation 127 (The Role of Co-operatives in Economic and Social development of Developing Countries) in 1966, as well as its revision by Recommendation 193 (Promotion of Co-operatives) in 2002; Whereas the ICA aims at promoting co-operation with national and international organiSations supporting the co-operative movement;

Whereas it is in the interest of the ILO and ICA to define more detailed rules for their relationships in the light of the past experience as well as the framework for technical co-operation, attached to this MOU;

ILO and ICA have agreed as follows:

Article 1: Objective of the Memorandum of Understanding

The objective of this Memorandum of Understanding is to further the existing co-operation between the ILO and ICA in the area of promotion and strengthening of co-operatives through regular consultation, exchange of information and co-ordination of efforts in the fields of common interest, in accordance with the objectives and principles of the ILO and ICA, with particular reference to the promotion and implementation of ILO Recommendation on the Promotion of Co-operatives (No.193, 2002), fight against poverty and the creation of decent jobs.

Article 2: Strengthening partnership

Taking into account the ILO's Constitutional basis with regard to its relationship with the ICA, to strengthen the existing partnership, joint programmes and projects shall be developed and implemented to promote co-operatives worldwide.

Article 3: Exchange of information and experience

The ILO and ICA shall arrange for the exchange of information, publications and documents concerning co-operative development. To this effect, the parties shall be periodically sending to each other their list of relevant publications and documents so that the other party could request copies of these publications and documents. Following the existing practice, each party shall inform the other party about the meetings that could be interest to other party.

Article 4: Co-operation and consultation

ILO and ICA agree that, with a view to facilitating the effective attainment of the objectives set forth in their respective constituent instruments, they shall act in close co-operation with each other, and shall consult each other periodically, with respect to matters of common interest. In particular, each party shall inform the other, at an early stage, of any plans for the execution of development of its activities whenever this is required to secure effective co-ordination and to avoid duplication of efforts.

Article 5: Specific areas of cooperation

The ILO and ICA shall formulate a Common Co-operative Agenda, as annexed to this MoU, that will identify areas for specific cooperation and respond to the current priorities of each organisation. These shall include activities to contribute effectively to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations, particularly with regard to reducing poverty by half by the year 2015. When parties define other areas of cooperation, they shall be specified in a separate document to be also annexed to this MoU.

Article 6: Working arrangements

The Director-General of the ILO and the Director-General of the ICA may make appropriate working arrangements for the implementation of the provisions of this Memorandum of Understanding.

Article 7: Entry into force

This Memorandum of Understanding shall enter into force on the date of its signature.

Article 8: Duration and termination

This Memorandum of Understanding shall remain in force until terminated by mutual consent or by either party giving to the other six months' written notice of termination.

Article 9: Amendment

This memorandum of Understanding may be amended by mutual written agreement of ILO and ICA.

Duly signed by the Parties in two originals in Geneva on the 10th of February 2004.

For the International Labour Organisation

Juan Somavia
Director-General

For the International Co-operative Alliance

Ivano Barberini
President

Last Updated: 31 March 2005