7 News Belize

Co-Ops Day Observed
posted (July 15, 2011)
Today, as Belize and the rest of the World observe International Cooperative's Day, a special signing ceremony took place at the offices of the Coastal Management Zone this afternoon.

It was the formal establishment of a friendship accord between the Department of Cooperatives and the Peace Corps, which will provide important technical assistance in the form of training and support for the dozens of cooperatives across the country.

Country Manger of the Peace Corps in Belize, Nina Hernandez says she hopes this type of collaboration can serve as a model program that can be replicated thru out Belize.

Nina Hernandez - Country Manager, Peace Corps
"As we enter our 50th anniversary here in Belize, we are evaluating our impact, and we are looking at our program's direction, and that is why I am really thrilled that we partnering with the Co-Ops Department in the Ministry of Agriculture here, because I think that this is exactly the kind of partnership that will represent Peace Corps future in Belize. Our interests here are promoting community development by focusing on small business and micro-enterprises. And this of course is something that our Co-Ops Department shares. Co-Ops present unique opportunities, especially for world communities to improve their economical being, by creating meaningful employment, and income-generating opportunities. Peace Corps is very interesting in being engaging with its partners and being engage with the Government of Belize."



Errol Gentle - Admin. Officer - Deputizing for the Minister
"I am very grateful for the technical support which the Peace Corps have given to the Cooperatives Department. This will surely contribute to the institutional capacity and development of the Cooperatives Department and Agricultural Sector in Belize. I am sure that the experience and the highly competent volunteers, who will work with the Cooperatives Department over the next 2 years, will contribute to the rejuvenation of the Cooperative Movement in Belize. At the same time, I hope that you will impart your knowledge to our Cooperative Officers, to enhance their skills in the Management of Cooperatives in Belize."

The government says it's time for the cooperatives to move from a family type to business type operation for sustainability, transparency and accountability. The Peace Corps has been in Belize since 1962.

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