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International Co-operative Alliance Organization

[Flag of International Co-operative Alliance]

by Jorge Candeias, 9 January 1999

The ICA is based in Geneva (www.coop.org). The apex body of the movement is the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) established in 1895. The ICA is an independent non-governmental association which unites, represents and serves co-operatives world wide. Its members are national and international co-operative organisations in all sectors of activity including agriculture, banking, credit and saving, industry, insurances, fisheries, housing, tourism and consumer co-operatives. ICA has more than 200 member organisations from over 100 countries, representing more than 700 million individuals world-wide. In 1946 it was one of the first non-government organisations to be accorded United Nations Consultative Status. Today it is one of the 41 organisations holding Category 1 Consultative Status with UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Jorge Candeias, 9 January 1999

The present flag is white with the ICA's logo, replacing the rainbow flag which was adopted in 1925. The present flag/logo depicts a quarter of a rainbow, from which emerge some doves. This design represents the same as the former rainbow flag: the ideals of universal peace, social justice, solidarity and the ICA's worldwide, diverse membership. The new ICA flag was adopted in the last world congress in Seoul, Korea. The ICA changed the flag to clearly promote the co-operative image, because the former raibow flag became over the years a gay pride symbol. Incidentally, the rainbow flag is nowadays recognized as a peace flag (also). The logo is seen on several sites, but an image of the new flag, in its Romance languages version (ACI), is at http://www.prensacooperativa.com.ar/cgi-bin/Simbolos.asp.

Francisco Santos, 2 April 2003

1925 flag
Canadian Co-operative Association

See also:

1925 Flag

by Jorge Candeias

The ICA Co-op leaders designed an international co-op symbol and a flag for the first "Co-operators' Day." After some experiments with different designs, the first rainbow flag was completed in 1924 and was adopted as an official symbol of the international co-operative movement in 1925.

Jorge Candeias, 9 January 1999

Canadian Co-operative Association

The Canadian Co-operative Association gives a good idea of what co-operative principles look like in other areas beside housing. It focuses on co-operative businesses in agriculture, finance, insurance, consumer and supply and service sectors. While it has a different focus, its guiding philosophy is the same, "that people, no matter what economic class or education level, know what's best for them and can work together to meet their own needs."

Meaning of the flag:

The rainbow flag has been the co-operative emblem since 1921. Like the rainbow, this flag is a symbol of hope and peace. The seven colors from flags around the world fly in harmony. Each of the seven colors in the flag has a special meaning.

RED stands for courage
ORANGE offers the vision of possibilities
YELLOW represents the challenge that green has kindled
GREEN indicates a challenge to strive for membership growth
SKY BLUE suggests far horizons, the need to provide education and help the less fortunate and unity with all peoples of the world
DARK BLUE represents the less fortunate who can learn to help themselves through co-operation
VIOLET represents warmth, beauty, and friendship

Phil Nelson, 12 August 1999