The International Co-operative Alliance (ICA, 2013c: 2) states that a co-operative as business model has the ability to address unstable economic circumstances for citizens around the world. The business model is inter alia focused upon the well-being of the individual and bringing economic resources under democratic control–it has been proved that the co-operatives sector has already provided millions of jobs worldwide. The United Nations has also identified the potential of co-operatives to play an important role in social and economic growth to such an extent that they decided during 2009 to proclaim 2012 as the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives.