OCDC brings together organizations committed to building a more prosperous world through cooperatives. Its mission is to champion, advocate and promote effective international cooperative development.

OCDC's members are: ACDI/VOCA, CHF International, Communications Cooperative International, Cooperative Resources International, HealthPartners, Land O'Lakes International, National Cooperative Business Association, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and the World Council of Credit Unions.

Cooperative Solutions

"The U.N.'s International Year of Cooperatives in 2012 is a major opportunity to raise the visibility of cooperatives on a global scale," said Dame Pauline Green, president of the International Cooperative Alliance. Speaking at OCDC's cooperative development conference, Green challenged attendees to make cooperative development initiatives global and "to deliver programs, not just projects."

To view session videos and presentations, go to www.coooperativechallenges21.org. For an overview, download the conference news release.

OCDC Notes

HealthPartners joins OCDC
OCDC welcomes new member HealthPartners, an independent, private, member-owned and democratically governed U.S. health-care organization. Click here to read more about HealthPartners.

Hazen talks American co-ops with The Guardian
Paul Hazen, OCDC's executive director, talked with The Guardian's Social Enterprise Network about the state of American cooperatives. Click here to read more.

OCDC names Hazen executive director
The U.S. Overseas Cooperative Development Council Board of Directors has named Paul Hazen its executive director, effective February 1. Hazen brings more than 30 years’ experience in international and domestic cooperative development to the organization. Click here to read more.

RFP recipients selected
OCDC has selected recipients for the two RFPs. Watch our web site for updates and results.

OCDC welcomes new member
OCDC welcomes Cooperative Resources International, CRI, as a new member of the organization. Headquartered in Shawano, Wis., CRI has been providing superior dairy and beef sires and services for more than 40 yearsin over 70 countries.

"We are delighted to have CRI as a new member," said Rob Nooter, OCDC executive director. "They bring a broad range of experiences and insights to international cooperative development."

U.N. declares 2012 International Year of Cooperatives
This honor recognizes the contributions of cooperatives to global economic development and the impact of that work in reducing poverty and creating new opportunities. Read more.

Initiative

www.clarity.coop is the the home of OCDC’s Cooperative Law and Regulation Initiative, whose main goal is to help developing countries create a legal and regulatory environment that enables cooperative businesses to flourish.

Enabling Cooperative Development: Principles for Legal Reform is the first report published by OCDC on legal reforms. It spells out cooperative principles and methods for approaching legal and regulatory reform.

Creating Clarity is the sequel to Enabling Cooperative Development: Principles for Legal Reform. This report provides two unique tools for addressing legal reform and showcases reform projects in several countries.

Other Initiatives

Cooperatives can stimulate transformational development in developing countries through three pathways - economic, democratic and social. OCDC’s Pathways report underscores effectiveness of the cooperative business model.

Measuring Cooperative Success is the result of an OCDC project called Measurements for Tracking Indicators of Cooperative Success or METRICS.  It identifies four essential indicators: sound business practices, strong membership participation, the support of cooperative apex organizations and a facilitating economic environment.

FAIR TRADE—OCDC members support and encourage fair trade practices worldwide. Learn more about this tool for enhancing economic returns.