26 May 1983

National experience in promoting the co-operative movement

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling General Assembly resolutions 2459 (XXIII) of 20 December 1968, 3273 (XXIX) of 10 December 1974, 31/37 of 30 November 1976, 33/47 of 14 December 1978 and 36/18 of 9 November 1981, as well as Council resolution 1668 (LII) of 1 June 1972,

Desiring to promote the implementation of the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade, contained in the annex to General Assembly resolution 35/56 of 5 December l980,

Bearing in mind the fact that the establishment and growth of co-operatives is one of the important instruments for the full economic, social and cultural development of all members of society,

Reaffirming that co-operatives play an important role in the socio-economic development of developing countries,

Recognizing the necessity of training and educational programmes at various levels for the growth, diversification and professionalization of the management of co-operatives,

Convinced that the exchange among countries of national experience relating to the co-operative movement plays an essential role in strengthening co-operatives for the benefit of their members and in overcoming difficulties in the development of various co-operatives,

Convinced of the important role that co-operatives in the various sectors of the economy can play in improving the production, marketing and consumption of food, with particular reference to special population groups,

1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on national experience in promoting the co-operative movement;

2. Invites the regional commissions and specialized agencies concerned to make further efforts with a view to promoting the co-operative movement as an effective instrument for the improvement of the well-being of all people and, in particular, special population groups;

3. Requests the Secretary-General to prepare, with particular attention to developing countries, in consultation with Member States and relevant organizations of the United Nations system and non-governmental organizations, a comprehensive report on national experience in promoting the co-operative movement, paying special attention, inter alia, to the following aspects of the question:

(a) The role of co-operatives in overall social and economic development, particularly in rural areas;

(b) The role of co-operatives in improving the welfare of their members;

(c) The participation of all people, including women, youth, disabled persons and the aging in co-operatives;

(d) The interrelationship between agrarian reform and agricultural co-operatives;

(e) Strengthening of the "movement-to-movement" activities among co-operatives;

(f) The role of co-operatives in the various sectors in improving the production, marketing and consumption of food;

(g) Training and educational programmes to promote the effectiveness of co-operatives and make them more responsive to the needs of their members;

(h) Difficulties faced by countries in the establishment and development of co-operatives in urban, as well as rural, areas and their experience in overcoming them;

(i) The role of Government support in promoting co-operatives;

4. Further requests the Secretary-General to submit that report, through the Commission for Social Development and the Economic and Social Council, to the General Assembly at its fortieth session for discussion under an item entitled "National experience in achieving far-reaching social and economic changes for the purpose of social progress".