ILO Sub-Regional Knowledge Sharing Workshop on Cooperatives in the Arab States

The Sub-regional Knowledge-Sharing Workshop on Cooperatives in the Arab States was held between 23-26 November 2010 in Beirut, Lebanon. Tripartite and cooperative representation from six Arab countries including Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Yemen and the occupied Palestinian territory attended the workshop. The meeting presented a unique opportunity for social partners, donors, cooperative federations and members to reflect on the Arab cooperative movement in the context of the global experience, examining more closely the potential role of cooperatives to advance the decent work agenda in Arab States. More specifically, the workshop:

• Provided an overview of the cooperatives movement in the Arab States region, examining regulatory policies and legislative frameworks, needs and opportunities, as well as key challenges;
• Contributed to creating awareness among the social partners about cooperatives in the context of the social and solidarity economy, the role of cooperatives, their achievements and shortcomings;
• Promoted practical ways to promote and strengthen collaboration between cooperatives and social partners;
• Sought to take stock of key achievements, highlight best practice and analyze lessons learned and key recommendations for cooperative development, toward a participatory action plan for cooperative development in the Arab States region.

Presentations

• Cooperatives, including social cooperatives, as part of the Soical Economy
• The ILO and Cooperatives - A global perspective towards the international year of cooperatives (IYC)
• Policy and regulatory framework for cooperative development on the baiss of the 2002 ILO recommendation no. 193 on the promotion of cooperatives
• The social economy in Turkey: Safety net against crisis for millions of people
• Cooperatives in the Arab world: Reaffirming their validity for regional and local development
• Local socio-economic recovery project South Lebanon
• Local cooperative contribution to post-crisis economic recovery