A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled organization. Cooperatives around the world generally operate according to the same core principles and values, adopted by the International Co-operative Alliance in 1995. 1. Voluntary and Open Membership Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all people able to use its services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination. 2. Democratic Member Control Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members—those who buy the goods or use the services of the cooperative—who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. 3. Members' Economic Participation Members contribute equally to, and democratically control, the capital of the cooperative. This ...
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