The Particularities of the Cooperative Housing System in Uruguay

The term ‘principles’ has different meanings in different contexts. This work considers the term in the context of the cooperative principles. The cooperative principles are understood as guidelines for actions that facilitate the realization of the cooperative values. Initially, the cooperative principles were mainly found in the bylaws of cooperatives. This was because cooperative legislation was either non-existent or did not incorporate the cooperative principles. Following the publication by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) of a definition of the cooperative principles, the principles were more likely to be included in cooperative legislation. This trend became stronger when the Statement on the Cooperative Identity was issued by ICA in 1995. Subsequently, cooperative legislation in many jurisdictions has addressed the cooperative principles in various ways. The adoption of the Statement on the Cooperative Identity by international organizations such as the United Nations (UNO) and the International Labor Organisation (ILO) has significantly contributed to this outcome. However, the harmonization of cooperative legislation varies, as each national cooperative legislation has their own specific regulations. Therefore, harmonization should focuson incorporating the cooperative principles, as they constitute the core of the cooperative identity. This work examines the Project for a Framework Law for the Cooperatives in Latin America and its attention to the cooperative principles as an example ofa potential approach to regional harmonization of cooperative legislation.