We turned 22 years old!

2025 marks 22 years since the launch of the International Centre for Co-operative Management’s (ICCM) flagship Master of Management, Co-operatives and Credit Unions program.

Today, the Centre has grown to offer a suite of online, part-time graduate programs, short courses, a credit union leadership program, international co-op study tours and special topics webinars.

Over 80 co-operatives, organizations, academic institutions and individuals form the Co-operative Management Education Co-operative to guide the direction of the education, research and Centre partnerships to ensure the Centre's relevance and impact.

Tom Webb inducted into the US Cooperative Hall of Fame

Tom Webb is a co-founder of the International Centre for Co-operative Management, as well as our sister organization the Centre for Excellence in Accounting and Reporting for Co-operatives.

Tom's induction into the US Cooperative Hall of Fame, stewarded by the Cooperative Development Foundation, is a unique opportunity to appreciate him and his contributions to the global co-operative community! Alumni, partners and faculty congratulate Tom. We couldn't be prouder to continue his legacy by running an expanded offering of educational opportunities, such as our Master's, Graduate Diploma and Certificate programs.

ICCM Directors and faculty accepted Tom Webb's award on his behalf in Washington DC as he was unable to travel at the time.

Graduations, socials and celebrations! 

We're feeling very lucky to have so many excellent graduating students this year! A special shout out to Jeff Johnson from CUMIS / Co-operators who is 2025's Pobihushchy Award recipient, living the co-operative ethos and being a supportive colleague!

We've had many great opportunities to gather and celebrate in 2025, including:

• Our Halifax Co-op and Credit Union Socials sponsored by iNova Credit Union and hosted by our very own Erin Hancock;
• The Global Credit Union Development Educators Social in Stockholm at World Credit Union Conference, which the ICCM supported
• An alumni get together in Montreal at the International Cooperative Alliance Global Research Conference
• Hosted the 'Local Co-operative Experience' for the Canadian Credit Union Association conference in Halifax

Contributing to the International Year of Cooperatives!

The United Nations International Year of Cooperatives saw renewed awareness of the co-operative movement, and sparked many conversations about how #CoopsBuildABetterWorld.

The UN has now called for an International Year of Cooperatives every decade! Amazing news!

Our academic director Sonja Novkovic and faculty member Erbin Crowell are involved in the Cooperative Identity Working Group of the International Cooperative Alliance, which released a timely new draft of the co-op identity for public consult.

Our team also spoke for key co-op and credit union events, including:

• Large Credit Union Coalition meeting, Vancouver
• World Credit Union Conference (young professionals event) in Stockholm
• United in Sustainability event, Montreal

Students and professionals travel on co-op study tour to Costa Rica

A keen international group of 20+ co-operators participated in our study tour of Costa Rica’s Central Valley and the Nicoya Peninsula focused on co-operative sustainability leadership. We had the pleasure of visiting co-ops in agriculture, rainforest conservation, crafts, food service, tourism, renewable energy, aeronautics, financial services, telecommunications, and more.

We are grateful to our collaborators, Universidad Fundepos de Costa Rica and the Centre of Excellence in Accounting and Reporting for Co-operatives, and the many co-ops who graciously hosted us for this immersive learning experience!

Our next study tour to Mondragon, Spain is on May 30 – June 7, 2026.



Find out more here!



Another successful pre-IMPACT short course

Our in-person short course on "The Business Advantage of Co-operative Values" was the latest in a yearly collaboration with NBCA-CLUSA's Cooperative IMPACT Conference.

Participants from across the co-operative economy took part, gaining insight into how align organization practice with the Co-operative Identity.

The course was designed to develop a deeper understanding of why and how co-operative values are central to successful organizations and a stronger sector. What a way to honour the International Year of Cooperatives! Thank you to the partners and sponsors, the National Cooperative Bank, Rochdale Capital and NCBA CLUSA.

A free, online mini version of the course will be available for participants to take part in virtually February 25, 2026.

Register now!

2nd Co-operative Law Summer School attracts global participants

Picture the scene: you are in beautiful Pula, Croatia, with over 40 co-operative lawyers, economists, policymakers and practitioners from 21 countries. Over five days, you examine how co-operative principles and values can be translated into legal rules and practices worldwide. You explore the challenges that lawmakers and regulators face in shaping effective co-operative law.

This was 2023's Co-operative Law Summer School, a unique global collaboration between our Centre, the International Cooperative Alliance and the International Labor Organization. We're very proud of its continuing success!

Our co-operative law masterclass will run once again in August 22-28, 2026, and is complimented by a free, open law workshop.

Sign up to both today!

Credit union professionals from across the globe attend CanadaDE

We love to celebrate those who traveled to Nova Scotia to complete the CanadaDE Credit Union Development Education Leadership Program!

It is a course that challenges our thinking and leadership within financial co-ops /credit unions, looking at complex issues and optimizing how our business model can meet member needs, solve community problems and contribute to resolving some of society's most pressing issues.

CanadaDE is part of a global network of programs that continue to build leaders, and it is inspiring to see folks continue on to the ICUDE accreditation!

CanadaDE runs September 13-18, 2026 in Halifax, NS. Don't miss out on the chance to grow, connect and achieve the CUDE designation!

Learn more about here!

Philippine delegation arrives in Halifax for week-long program

International partnerships are the foundation upon which the Centre builds our community. We are elated that in November 2025, the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO) sent a delegation of 28 senior business leaders to engage with the Centre’s specialized research on governance, strategy, and market differentiation. A special event marking the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Saint Mary's University kicked off proceedings, and our Philippine guests were transported across Nova Scotia to visit local exemplar co-operative businesses.

“It is always a pleasure to connect with our international network... The NATCCO group was a very engaged group and we look forward to more collaborations.” said Karen Miner, Managing Director of the Centre and instigator of the new relationship.

Fond farewells and new arrivals!

After 7 years of supporting our Centre, Rosa Poirier-McKiggan has stepped down from her role as Program Assistant, though she continues as a student in our Master's program! We wish her all the best in her co-operative adventures!

Kai McGilligan Oliver is now Communications Specialist and Program Assistant. Cathy Golden has also joined the team to support our daily efforts as Centre Administrator.

A special thank you to our co-op sector advisors in our Master's courses including Karen Flamand, Adam Trott, and Tara Williams,