"Co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-operative movement by working together." This statement recognises the reality that while co-operatives can achieve much on a local level, they will achieve much more if they work together to create economies of scale and build mutual representative strength. this requires a difficult balancing of interests: larger scale benefits for all co-operatives while maintaining independence and member democratic control. this is a perennial challenge for all co-operative structures and a test of co-operative ingenuity.

"By working together through local, national, regional and international structures." The statement in the first half of the sentence was the "why"; this second half is the "how". the "how", the way co-operatives work together, is through local, national, regional and international structures. this 6th Principle is about working together continuously to the same end, not simply about occasional collaboration. Collaboration, though similar works for a single defined objective, whereas co-operation is a more intense commitment and longer term engagement to achieve shared goals.