Roberts: Cooperatives essential, announces plans for International Year of Cooperatives

The Cooperative Movement of Dominica has launched several activities to mark the International Year of Cooperatives 2025.

These activities are geared towards raising awareness, strengthening, and helping continue to improve the cooperatives around the island.

They include supervisory and compliance training, an awards ceremony to be held on the first Saturday in July (Cooperatives Day), a cooperatives expo, “Honey in the Town”,  a round table discussion in November, and the launch of a magazine in December.

“This year holds special significance for us all as we recognize the vital role that cooperatives play in fostering community resilience, promoting sustainable development, and empowering individuals across Dominica,” Minister for Community Development Gretta Roberts said while addressing the official launch of the International Year of Cooperatives on Monday.

As Minister with responsibility for cooperatives, Roberts said she is honoured to stand in support of the many initiatives planned to observe this international year.

According to her, cooperatives have long been the backbone of communities, fostering economic growth and social cohesion.

“Almost every Dominican [can] attest to the financial stability and opportunities that cooperative membership has brought into their lives,” she stated.

She continued, “These institutions have provided a secure foundation for savings and access to credit and given countless families the means to achieve economic independence.”

Furthermore, Roberts pointed out that today’s event marks the beginning of a collaborative journey, “as we highlight and reaffirm our shared commitment to the cooperative model and its profound impact on society.”

International Day of Cooperatives is celebrated on the first Saturday of every July.  The aim of this celebration is to increase awareness about cooperatives by highlighting how the United Nations shares similar goals and objectives as the international cooperative movement.

This day aims to acknowledge the contributions of cooperatives to resolve some of the major international issues that have drawn the attention of the United Nations. The day also aims to strengthen and extend partnerships between the international cooperative movement and other outfits of social development.

This year’s observance of the International Year of Cooperatives is being held under the theme “Cooperatives Build a Better World.”