Since 2010 the Cooperative Division observes Junior Cooperative Week.
- Objective
- Increase Cooperative Awareness at School
- Foster sense of responsibility, discipline and loyalty and democratic spirit
- To encourage entrepreneurship and Cooperative knowledge and skills
- To introduce the cooperative values of honesty, social responsibility and caring for others to the youth.
- Increase youth participation in Cooperative Movement
B. Description
The International Cooperative Alliance defines Cooperative 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”. The role of these Cooperative institutions could be used as a driving force to develop Dominica’s economy and building a Dynamic Dominica.
While Cooperatives have made significant contribution to the Dominica economy it can be considered as under developed since they are seen more as social entities than economic enterprises. It is for this reason that the Cooperative Division is working hard and is now advising a top bottom approach to cooperative development.
The Ministry of Education through the primary and secondary schools has been engaged over the years as education, teaching and learning institutions that can play a leading role in promoting cooperative enterprises through youth involvement and exposure to the cooperative model of business. We believe that the sustainability of the sector is paramount at this stage of Dominica’s development and youth involvement will ensure continuity and will bring some level of vibrancy to the sector. The Ministry of Education through the primary and Secondary schools has been involved in the saving union programs and Junior Cooperatives for many years.
Since 2010 the Cooperative Development Division established the Junior Cooperative week program in January of each year aimed at sensitizing and encouraging youth involvement in cooperatives. Over the years some forty (40) schools have been involved in various activates ranging from Cooperative Drama Competition, workshops, conferences, lectures, debates, songs to recognition of teachers and students. Our approach is a principle taken from the Holy Scriptures which says; “train up a child in the way he should go that when he grows older, he will not depart from it”.
C. ACTIVITIES
The Activities for this year Junior Cooperative Week include:
- Pannell Discussion
- Radio Program
- Award ceremony recognizing teachers and students