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( Statement on the Co-operative Identity)
The Statement on the Co-operative Identity [1] defines and guides co-operatives worldwide. It contains the definition of a co-operative, the values of co-operatives, and the currently accepted Principles of Co-operation. It was adopted by the International Co-operative Alliance, an international co-operative union, in 1995. According to this statement, a Co-operatives is defined as "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 enterprise."[1] They "are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, co-operative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others."[1] The Statement lists the current version of the Rochdale Principles as follows "Co-operatives are voluntary organisations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination."[1]
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