The International Co-operative Alliance is the largest non-government organisation in the world. It was founded in 1896 with a remit to promote the co-operative economic and social model. It has consultative status at the United Nations and works in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation.

Co-operatives are owned by almost a billion members worldwide. The sector employs more than 100 million people - 20% more than all multi-nationals.The largest 300 co-operatives throughout the world have a combined turnover of nearly US$1.1 trillion, equivaqlent to the GDP of Spain.

Dame Pauline is the former Chief Executive of Co-operativesUK, the national trade body for co-operatives and a former MEP. She was elected President of the ICA on 20 November 2009, the first woman in the post in the organisation's history. According to Dame Pauline, the growth in 'mutual' forms of business is a business phenomenon sweeping the globe.

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