The International Co-operative Alliance is an independent, non-governmental organisation established in 1895 to unite, represent and serve co-operatives worldwide. It provides a global voice and forum for knowledge, expertise and coordinated action for and about co-operatives. The Alliance's members are international and national co-operative organisations across 100 countries from all sectors of the economy, including agriculture, industry, services, banking, retail, fisheries, health, housing and insurance. Through its membership, the International Co-operative Alliance gives a voice to one billion of the world's citizens. More information is available at: www.ica.coop

Against the background of cooperative enterprises enabling people around the world to become protagonists of their own social and economic development, the programme ?Cooperatives in Development - People-centred businesses in action' will work on promoting the co-operative business model in global and local development policies, and strengthening co-operative organisations as viable actors in development processes in their own rights.

www.ica.coop