On Thursday morning this week, CHF BC joined a roomful of co-operators – from housing co-ops, credit unions and other co-op sectors – to celebrate the official launch of the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives (IYC 2012).  The event featured a video greeting from Premier Christy Clark and a keynote address from Vancity CEO Tamara Vrooman.A live webcast linked the BC celebration with co-operators in Ottawa, Lévis (Quebec) and Calgary.  Similar events were held in a dozen locations across Canada.We hope that many BC housing co-ops will plan their own celebrations in 2012.  You can get ideas and support at CHF BC’s IYC 2012 toolkit.If you need promotional materials (like IYC banners, bags, magnets or pins) to help with your celebration, they are available through the FlagShop in Vancouver. The deadline to get materials at the best rates through CHF Canada’s group purchase of 2012 promotional materials is January 20, 2012, so act fast!Let’s make 2012 our year to celebrate the role that co-operatives play in building a better world.