50+ Years of Educating for Citizen Participation: Lessons from the Coady International Institute Diploma in Development Leadership ~ Colleen Cameron Catherine Irving & Coady Diploma Participants

St.FX Extension – Coady Roots 1920s - Great depression accentuates existing widespread poverty and rural outmigration in Northeastern NS “Progressive serfdom” – communities robbed of their leaders and wealth Emerging international movement of cooperative organizing - Rochdale Emerging programs in adult education – workers’ education, folk schools

St. FX Extension Department Founded 1928 in rural Nova Scotia Joined the methods of adult education and economic cooperation, Vision for strengthened democracy –Begin with economic where the interest is keenest

The Antigonish Movement Education as a driving force for change Collective learning –Mass meetings: identify issues and local leaders –Study clubs, Leadership courses, Conferences –Groups learn from each other

The Extension Department Today Mission –To promote and advance, according to the principles of the Antigonish Movement, the economic self-reliance and social well-being of the people of Atlantic Canada through economic cooperation and education Programs & Services –Community & organizational development –Leadership capacity building –Social and economic innovation –Enterprise Development Centre (XEDC): small business counseling and skills development; Training, planning and consulting services for businesses and not-for-profits

Coady International Institute Founded in 1959 to practice the principles of the Antigonish Movement internationally Campus and Overseas programs with development practitioners

Goal of Coady’s Work The Ultimate Aim of the Education and Partnership Programs: To contribute to bringing about a more just, inclusive and sustainable global society in which all people participate in shaping their own destinies.

Coady Diploma Program Goal: To strengthen organizations involved in community-driven development by providing high quality, leadership development opportunities for mid and senior level staff. Examples of Courses to promote citizen participation –ABCD –CDHIA –Advocacy –Co-operative inquiry

Adult Education Methods Experiential Learning Cycle – building on practitioners’ knowledge Emphasis on Collective Learning, examples: o Group Discussions o Role plays o Appreciative Inquiry Transformative learning methods and goals Critical analysis: Unpacking different frames of development, lenses and narratives

World Café Public Participation Method Rounds of table discussions Record ideas on flipchart paper Plenary sharing from each table

Principles of the Antigonish Movement 1.Primacy of the person 2.Social reform through education 3.Education begins with economic 4.Education through group action 5.Reform requires fundamental changes in institutions 6.Full and abundant life for all