Co-operatives: a beacon of peace in a fragmented world
The International Co-operative Alliance is dedicating International Co-operative Day 2026 to the role of co-operatives in building more peaceful, inclusive and resilient societies.
On 4 July, cooperative members from around the world will celebrate the 104th International Day of Cooperatives. For this year’s event, the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) has chosen a theme that resonates strongly in the current geopolitical context: ”Cooperatives for a world at peace”, which aims to highlight their ability to build networks of social cohesion, promote peaceful dialogue and forge stable bridges in an increasingly polarised and fragmented society.
Healthcare cooperatives: a force for social cohesion
This focus is no coincidence. It ties in directly with the organisation’s roadmap, aligning with the 2019 Declaration on Positive Peace and setting the agenda for the upcoming World Conference to be held in Panama. This initiative is also linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, which focuses on promoting peace, justice and the development of strong institutions.
Against this backdrop of global engagement, the cooperative healthcare sector is taking on a renewed prominence. Far from being limited to the management of healthcare provision, health cooperatives demonstrate on a daily basis that they are genuine drivers of stability. By promoting access to healthcare, cooperatives help to reduce inequalities that are often the root cause of social conflict.
