The United Nations has declared 2012 the International Year of Co-operatives, a chance to celebrate the contributions co-operatives — including credit unions — make to the communities they serve. But what exactly is an “international year”?

Since 1959, the UN has designated international years in order to draw attention to major issues and to encourage international action to address concerns which have global importance and ramifications. The first international year was proclaimed by the General Assembly in 1959. It was the World Refugee Year.

According to the United Nations itself, UN observances “contribute to the achievement of the purposes of the UN Charter and promote awareness of and action on important political, social, cultural, humanitarian or human rights issues. They provide a useful means for the promotion of international and national action and stimulate interest in United Nations activities and programmes.”