Transformative Co-operative Leadership Masterclass

Exploring Co-operatives and Complexity in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

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Program Dates: Monday, October 26 to Friday, October 30, 2026 

The International Masterclass for Transformative Co-operative Leadership: Co-operatives and Complexity is offered by the International Centre for Co-operative Management (ICCM) in the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University (Canada). This participatory program is designed for co-operative leaders looking to build stronger enterprises, achieve audacious goals, and meet the intergenerational needs of members and communities. 

The masterclass elaborates on these topics throughout the week:

  • Co-operative enterprise model: Maintaining alignment with the International Co-operative Alliance’s Statement on the Co-operative.
  • Co-operative governance: An integrated system designed for transformation. 
  • Co-operative responses to risks and shocks: Leading in an era of polycrises (e.g. climate emergency).  
  • Inter-cooperation to build resilience: Cross-sectoral and local to global 
  • Cooperative circular economy models: Examples in various contexts including agri-food industry, insurance, and renewable energy. 
  • Sustainability measurement and reporting: United Nations Sustainable Development Performance Indicators and related frameworks right-sized for co-operatives (e.g. co-op ESG, scorecards). 

Sector leaders are invited to register for this in-person learning (in Nova Scotia, Canada). The design of the Masterclass includes a mix of learning approaches such as structured learning (lectures and discussions), participatory sessions (group exercises), analysis of case studies and examples, and experiential visits (e.g. site visits to co-operatives and like-minded organizations). During five days together, the leaders expand their perspectives while discovering opportunities to strengthen their enterprises and networks. 

Target audience: Senior managers and executives, Board members, and leaders from the global co-operative and mutual sector. High potential younger leaders are also encouraged to register.

Program Fee: $3,500 CAD plus required Canadian tax: 14% Harmonized Sales Tax (This fee includes course tuition and meals during programming) 

The program fee does not include:  

  • Accommodation (our recommendation of Cambridge Suites Hotel Halifax or another hotel of your choosing). Note: Saint Mary’s University is located 2 kilometers from the Cambridge Suites Hotel Halifax which is accessible by public transport, walking or uber/taxi; there are no hotels closer to the University. 
  • Local transport from hotel to university (walk in 30 minutes; accessible by city bus; taxi).  
  • Participant travel costs (flights and ground transportation to/from hotel and airport) 
  • Breakfasts (included at the hotel if Cambridge Suites Halifax)  
  • Dinners / evening meal  

Example itinerary:  

  • Saturday: Travel and arrive in Halifax, NS, Canada.  
  • Sunday: Free day to explore Halifax.  
  • Monday to Friday: Training sessions at Saint Mary’s University and co-operative visits.
  • Saturday and beyond: Extend your stay in Nova Scotia for tourism, and/or travel to Toronto (Canada) for the ICMIF Conference (Nov 3-6, 2026)

Cancellation Policies: In a circumstance where an individual is registered and then not able to attend, their registration can be assigned to someone else of your choosing. 

If the program is cancelled at the participant’s written request: 

  • before June 26, 2026, all but $500 CAD of the program fee paid will be refunded.  
  • between June 27, 2026 and September 1, 2026, all but $1000 CAD of the program fee paid will be refunded. 
  • after September 1, 2026, the full program fee paid is non-refundable. 

Click the button below or the link here to register to the masterclass.

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