29 May 1985

23rd plenary meeting

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, and Council resolution 1983/15 of 26 May 1983,

Desiring to promote the implementation of the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade,

Bearing in mind the importance of the establishment and growth of co-operatives as an instrument for the full economic, social and cultural development of all members of society,

Reaffirming the important role played by co-operatives 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 to promote the co-operative movement as an effective instrument for the improvement of the well-being of all people, and special population groups in particular;

3. Invites the Secretary-General to include pertinent information and data on the co-operative movement in developing and developed countries in relevant periodic United Nations publications;

4. Requests the Secretary-General to prepare, with particular attention to developing countries, in consultation with Member States, relevant organizations of the United Nations system and non-governmental organizations, and drawing on the work already under way elsewhere in the United Nations system, 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 agricultural, savings, handicraft and other types of co-operative organizations in the production, marketing and consumption of food and related goods and services;

(c) The role of co-operative and co-operative-type organizations in promoting development in urban areas;

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

(e) The participation of peasants, including landless peasants, in co-operatives;

(f) The role and extent of government support in promoting co-operatives;

(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 and their experience in overcoming them;

(i) Progress made in strengthening "movement-to-movement" activities;

(j) Progress made in promoting membership in and the growth of co-operatives;

5. 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 forty-second session for consideration under the item entitled "National experience in achieving far-reaching social and economic changes for the purpose of social progress".