Cooperatives and sustainable development

The international conference “Cooperatives and sustainable development” was held in the majestic plenary hall of San Sebastian City Hall on July 1. The event, which coincided with the commemoration of the International Day of Cooperatives, brought together cooperative leaders and experts from different parts of the world to analyse the crucial role played by cooperative enterprises in promoting sustainable development.

Organised jointly by the Consejo Superior de Cooperativas de Euskadi, Konfekoop, the Confederación Española de Cooperativas de Trabajo Asociado and the International Cooperative Alliance, the event brought together a diverse and committed audience sharing a common goal: to explore how the cooperative model can make a significant contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations for the year 2030.

During the conference, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals were examined in detail, each illustrated with concrete examples of cooperative enterprises that have demonstrated that they are sustainable and have a positive impact on people’s lifestyles and communities. From poverty eradication to climate action, gender equality and the promotion of quality education, cooperatives presented a vision in which collaboration and equity are the keys to a more sustainable and fair world.

Fundación Espriu,  renowned for its contribution to health cooperativism, was one of the emblematic cases presented at the conference. Its experience is a living testimony to how cooperatives can facilitate access to quality health services while at the same time improve the working conditions of professionals. These achievements are a clear indication of the fundamental role that cooperatives play in promoting healthy lives and people’s well-being, as stipulated in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The International Day of Cooperatives, celebrated every first Saturday of July, is an emblematic date that aims to highlight the fundamental role of cooperatives in economic and social development at the global level.