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ICA Annual Report
Annual Report 2005 (pdf) Annual Report 2004 (pdf)
There is growing recognition by these global agencies of the ICA's important role in the creation of economic development, decent jobs and social cohesion. Never before have we received, in such a short period, so much recognition. This is creating a very favourable environment for co-operative development. However, there is still a lot to do to realise these opportunities. In many countries and internationally, there is still a need for more appropriate and effective legislation and policies. The ICA is committed to making this happen. We are also working to improve the collaboration among co-operatives throughout the world to help raise the profile of co-operatives.  Our most successful event of 2003 was the Oslo General Assembly. The issues discussed - economic, social and democratic development, the fight against poverty together with the reorganisation of the International Co-operative Alliance have been unanimously adopted as the basis of ICA strategic plans for the future. There was a large attendance of members' representatives, many keynote speakers and pledges of support by several important authorities. The interest displayed by so many different people is testimony to the level of visibility reached by co-operatives. We are now increasingly being seen as an effective tool for poverty reduction and enterprise development. Several important resolutions were adopted by the Assembly.The approval of the Task Force Report provided the basis for a more effective ICA. We have only just entered a new century. It is one in which it is becoming more and more important to build co-operative networks able to promote innovation, pro-active action and capitalise on knowledge. Now more than ever the co-operative movement is asked to find solutions to some of the most important problems of our times. The ICA is committed to increasing the autonomy of our regions while also strengthening our sectoral organisations. The processes of regionalisation and sectoral strengthening will be complemented with greater integration and coordination at a global level. This balanced approach should enable us to increase our effectiveness. The General Assembly also laid down the foundations for a Global Co-operative Campaign against Poverty, aimed at increasing the role of co-operatives in the achievement of the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals. The campaign, actively supported by our members and aimed at all regions identifies Africa, still a "forgotten continent", as a priority. In this context, the visit I made, together with the two ICA Regional Directors and the ICA Director of Development to four African countries was an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the local co-operative reality. In meetings with the Heads of State and Ministers in several African countries, I was able to highlight the role co-operatives play in reducing poverty and creating economic enterprises. The themes addressed by our General Assembly opened the way to a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the International Labour Office (ILO). Furthermore, along with the economic development and improvement of the conditions of workers all around the world, the memorandum forms the basis for a stronger relationship between the ICA and other important institutions such as the United Nations (UN) and Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). In this respect, the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC) to which ICA is affiliated played a key role during 2003 in promoting and coordinating co-operative development initiatives through policy coordination, information exchange and advocacy. 2003 was devoted to securing ICA's economic and financial future, a goal achieved thanks to extraordinary contributions from members. I would like to take this opportunity to warmly thank all the members who supported ICA during this difficult time producing a very positive result. This generous support gave the ICA Board and staff an opportunity to focus on the improving member services and on strategies for the future. Finally, on behalf of the Board, I would like to express my gratitude for the excellent work conducted by the regional and head office staff, in responding to the needs of co-operatives, promoting the exchange of experiences and networking of resources for co-operative development.
ICA started a decentralisation process in the early 1990s to promote clear and widespread responsibility and a better balance between the central role and that of the Regions. The premise for the ICA is the value of its global character. It is because of this that it is able to provide added value vital to the Co-operative Movement. Various problems have been thoroughly addressed by the Task Force and by the Board with innovative spirit and common sense - the true ingredients for a real and effective change. Therefore 2002 was a busy year, aimed at redefining objectives and identifying ways to restructure ICA. These issues were equally addressed in the Regional Assemblies. However, this year ICA also tackled some particularly urgent and important problems including:
2002 was also the year that the ILO Recommendation 193 on the promotion of co-operatives was adopted. This Recommendation is extremely important in defining the role of cooperatives
as well as outlining the basic conditions needed for the development of cooperatives
in both developed and developing countries.Photos: Yehudah Paz, Chair of the ICA Working Group at the ILO Conference and Co-operators meet to coordinate lobbying positions at ILO Conference )  It is an achievement mainly obtained
through hard and detailed work and the creation of a united agreement within the Co-operative
Movement. Without all of this, it would have been impossible to find common
ground with ILO's constituent members - governments, workers and employers. A vote of
thanks must go to the Working Group which followed the work in the ILO Conference and
has strongly supported the Co-operative Movement through its excellent work. (Photo: Co-operators meet to coordinate lobbying positions at ILO Conference )In evaluating the work carried out, a special thanks to Maria Elena Chavez, who was Acting Director-General and worked with both competence and commitment for many months, as well as to the head and regional office staff. We must also thank the new Director-General, Iain Macdonald, for having promptly taken up his position and the new Finance Director, Guy Malacrida, for his ability in presenting the economic and financial situation very clearly. In conclusion, we can say that we have left behind a quite difficult year, which, nonetheless produced positive results. Once again, this shows that the best way forward is to unite all our efforts with an open-minded and singular search for the necessary innovative changes. 2002 has laid down the basis for organisational change, the re-launching of ICA's role and the improvement of its usefulness. 
Excerpt: President's Review -- 2001 was a year of great changes and challenges for the
International Co-operative Alliance and yet, the ICA and its
members continue fulfilling a significant role around the
world. Globalisation and peace coloured ICA's activities in
2001 as it was the theme of a very successful General Assembly,
but it also reflected well the turmoil of the year. Some
members experienced economic havoc with an ever faster
liberalisation process while others took advantage of new
opportunities; peace was challenged on all continents with the terrorist attacks in the United States
confirming that much needs to be done to promote tolerance and understanding among peoples; all confirming that our Co-operative values and principles of solidarity, democracy, equality, equity, concern for community were needed now perhaps more than ever.Renewal, innovation, and a focused outlook were guiding principles in ICA's work programme. Strengthening our network, globally, regionally and nationally; and promoting active member participation within the ICA and co-operative development everywhere were our aims. A committed Board, Director-General and staff enabled progress to made in areas such as the promotion of the Co-operative Identity and improved member services including a strong development programme. Meetings with international organisations also provided an opportunity to put co-operatives on the agenda. The work on the United Nations Guidelines and the International Labour Organisation's Recommendation onCo-operatives provided important policy guidance to governments, but other presentations like that made by ICA President Roberto Rodrigues to the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development on the role of agricultural co-operatives are also worth noting. Support to members also included a series of visits by the ICA global and regional presidents who were able to share the successes of the Movement, and bring support and hope to those who were struggling. Presidential visits were organised to a number of movements in all regions and these were coupled these with visits to high-level government officials. The impacts of these visits can be measured by political and legislative reforms. The messages, lobbying and press conferences held created awareness about the international co-operative movement and its scope, but also promoted the internal development of co-operatives while also bringing member realities closer to the ICA. 
2001 also marked the first time that ICA awarded co-operators for their outstanding achievements to
the Movement. Sixteen highly qualified candidates were nominated demonstrating once again the
exceptional dedication and success of co-operators worldwide. Following a very difficult selection process,
Dr Verghese Kurien of India was formally awarded the Rochdale Pioneer Prize at the General
Assembly in Seoul (photo).However, ICA continued to face serious financial and administrative challenges during 2001. Members' reaction to this negative situation was in fact positive with the adoption of a General Assembly resolution outlining what needed to be done to restore ICA's financial stability. A Task Force was set up to "to restructure, reform and improve the efficiency of the work of ICA in its entirety, to review its financial, organisational and subscription frameworks and relationships between the central and regional offices" and commitments were taken to strive for increased transparency. The Secretariat worked hard to begin implementation of the resolution. At the close of 2001, we have been able to begin defining a concrete plan of action which will enumerate the main opportunities for ICA to add value to its membership and address crucial issues. In doing so, we will fulfil our goal of promoting co-operatives worldwide, helping member organisations implement the co-operative values and principles and improve service to their own members and build peace, which will guarantee a better world for our grandchildren, for which our parents and grandparents have already fought.
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Last Updated: 18 August 2007
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