NCBA Presentation to COPAC Open Forum (2000)-Coop Employment Trends During Economic Prosperity

Slide 25 of 26

Cooperatives give People Power and Voice.

I am proud to be a cooperator and I know that the citizens of the United States of America are some of the most fortunate people in the history of the world. As a nation, we were born into privilege, but we know that we cannot achieve our economic and social goals when millions of people in the U.S., and billions of people throughout the world have no voice or self determination and live without enough food, water, adequate shelter, education, or healthcare. We cannot turn our back on these people. In the cooperative movement, by giving people voice we can stand up and fight against a global economy that rewards attitudes such as survival of the fittest; intolerance; concentration of wealth and power; and separation of people by race, economic status, and religion.

As we approach the new millennium, cooperative values are desperately needed throughout the world. In the tradition of our founders, we must build community by giving people power and voice. We must look for ways to provide service to our members. By working together, we can provide employment, reduce poverty, and provide for social intregation through cooperative development.

Let us not forget the trust that cooperatives have built over a long history of helping people achieve their economic goals and improve their lives. Cooperatives have empowered millions of people throughout the world to take more control of their lives. And, we have given voice to people over the past 155 years, from those first Pioneers of Rochdale, to the newest member of 1st Rochdale Cooperative in New York City.

Back to Agenda