and what we hope to achieve for the future. CSS was founded to create a platform from which ethnic minority groups in Ireland could launch a better future for themselves and society as a whole. Since inception in 2006, we have been working on a number of projects simultaneously, benefiting local communities and enabling members to be creators of their own destiny.

Co-operatives are not a new concept, they've been in existence since the 19th century and we have learned from studying them. They were successful in the past and they are still successful today. In fact, there are more than 800 million ppeople around the world engaged in co-operative movement at present.

So many of the challenges faced by communities throughout Ireland are ripe for a co-operative solution. Whether it is providing childcare or housing, keeping a business alive or protecting the environment, we believe co-operative is the best solution. It is my hope that CSS will continue to grow and a mass support to realize its vision to be recognized as a reference organization for co-operative ethnic entrepreneurs in Ireland and to become a key player in Ireland's business and social arena.