Throughout
the world today, societies are being torn apart due to the fact that various
social groups and classes are not getting their due respect from other forces
in society. Many societies are lacking social justice which could be seen as
equal opportunity treatment of all persons in society. Various institutions
have the responsibility to ensure this happens. Yet social justice is absent in
many instances.
Cooperatives
are based on principles and values that speak directly to the issue of social
justice. Most traditional cooperatives follow the seven principles of
cooperative identity, promoted by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA),
an Apex organization for cooperatives around the world. These principles call
for the practice of democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. Cooperatives
also embrace the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and
caring for others.
With
these principles and values at the core of cooperative operations, the poor,
excluded and marginalized sectors of society are usually served well by
cooperatives. The financial sector is one area where this has shown well.
Financial cooperatives are some of the largest providers of micro-finance
services to the poor. It is estimated that globally, financial cooperatives
reach 78 million clients living below a poverty line of $2 per day. Financial
cooperatives thus play a central role in the achievement of an inclusive
financial sector that encompasses the poor.
Through
their commitment to servicing the poor and under-served, financial cooperatives
are helping to lessen the burden of poverty. Financial cooperatives, by
providing savings products, help to reduce members’ vulnerabilities to shocks
such as medical emergencies.
Cooperatives
have also been instrumental in promoting inclusive development in rural areas,
helping to both strengthen and diversify rural economies. Financial
cooperatives provide access to credit for members who might not typically have
access to the larger savings and commercial banks. This is significant in
markets where financial providers are absent owing to poor revenue prospects,
high risks, or high transaction costs. This access to financial services often
supports the formation of small and micro businesses.
Cooperatives
have also been able to strengthen agricultural production and improve access of
poor farmers, especially through engaging in fair trade arrangements. Small
farmers who struggle to create and sustain businesses of their own are able to
increase farm revenues, lower marketing and information-gathering costs, as
well as enter into high-value supply chains that they would not be able to do
on their own.
While
the need for more research cannot be denied, that which exists supports the
idea that, if given the right supportive environment, cooperatives could help
in profound ways to achieve social justice, where it is lacking. Empowering
cooperatives to leverage their capacity to contribute to social justice
requires a sound policy and legislative framework.
The
International Year of Cooperatives 2012, declared by the United Nations General
Assembly, is one means to raising awareness. By raising awareness of
cooperatives – what they are and what they do – the IYC will empower
cooperatives to promote their social justice values and encourage governments
to create supportive policy and legislative frameworks, where needed.
Even
with this support, the challenge of effective implementation of the cooperative
principles and values cannot be ignored. The sound governance of cooperatives
depends upon a well-informed and active membership base, dedicated to
cooperative values and principles. To sustain the drive of cooperatives for
social justice, a strong membership base, bound by the democratic
one-member-one-vote principle, is essential to addressing weak or unethical
management, capture by local politicians, or other conflicts of interests which
could divert cooperatives from addressing social justice issues.
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