DIPLOMA IN DEVELOPMENT LEADERSHIP

Applications for this program have closed.

The Diploma in Development Leadership is designed for a diverse cohort of practitioners from around the world who represent a wide cross-section of civil society, public and private groups, and organizations. Deeply rooted in adult education approaches, participants and facilitators will collectively explore, unpack and deconstruct the notion of development from a feminist, decolonial, and asset-based lens to enhance their leadership competencies and their abilities to motivate and support people in creating a better world for future generations.

Throughout the program, a collaborative relationship is fostered among facilitators and participants to draw out lessons and insights from their rich and diverse experiences. This sharing and co-creation of knowledge is a cornerstone to the Diploma program. Graduates leave with greater confidence and even stronger leadership skills, joining a global network of committed Coady graduates.

The Diploma is delivered through a blended model, divided into three mandatory modules:

• Module 1 consists of an online course focused on the introduction to core concepts and relationship building within the cohort.
• Module 2  consists of a 10-week, in-person residency at the Coady Institute that includes a foundational course in leadership grounded in community-driven development, social justice and feminist practice, and facilitating social change through an adult education-informed lens. Classes run for full days, five days a week during the on-campus portion of the diploma program. Participants should come prepared to fully engage in 6-8 hours of active learning activities, five days a week for the duration.

Electives include:

• • Feminist Advocacy for Agency, Equity, and Justice
  • Community-Led Solutions for Climate Change
  • Livelihoods and Markets
  • Asset Based Citizen Led Development: Theory and Practice
• Module 3  consists of a 7-week practical module where participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their learnings in practice with the accompaniment of Coady facilitators and through peer learning.

The program goal is:

To strengthen individuals and organizations involved in sustainable, asset-based, and equitable development by providing leadership development opportunities for emergent and established leaders.

By the end of the program, participants should be able to:

• apply leadership skills that support sustainable, community-driven, equitable development, driven by those most impacted by development initiatives;
• apply a broad range of participatory adult education methodologies;
• develop or adapt innovative practices that support the planning, monitoring, and evaluation of asset-based development initiatives;
• pursue self-directed research and learning goals, including applying action research methods or inquiry-based processes for social learning at the organizational and community level;
• apply their learning directly to their work in support of sustainable, equitable community;
• act collectively through knowledge sharing, networking, and multi-stakeholder processes at national and global levels; and,
• participate in ongoing co-learning to address contemporary issues and trends in development.

Program Eligibility

The Diploma in Development Leadership is for leaders who:

• Possess a minimum of five years of demonstrated leadership experience in a social or economic development endeavor in sectors such as livelihoods or inclusive economic development, food security, environment, access to education and health care, governance, socio-political equity and inclusion among equity-seeking groups;
• Will be immediately returning to their community and sector following the program to put their learning into practice;
• Have great drive and passion for their work, demonstrated through their outstanding contributions in their organizations and communities;
• Are practitioners in civil society organizations including community-based organizations and not for profits, or active in public or private institutions, donor/philanthropic agencies, social movements or in a social enterprise/business;
• Hold a combination of post-secondary education and/or lived experience; and
• Have strong oral and written English language competencies.

Cost of the program:

Coady Institute ensures that participants working with marginalized communities around the world have access to its courses. This is made possible through the provision of bursaries that are funded by many individual and institutional donors. Participants receive a bursary worth $15,000, after bursary, the remaining cost of the program is $5,000 CAD. 

All travel related expenses including airfare and visa fees are the responsibility of the participant. Coady Institute will arrange and cover ground transportation costs between Halifax Stanfield International Airport and the Coady Institute.