Learning at Coady
Coady Institute offers educational programming for emerging and established community leaders with a passion for social change. Coady’s approach to adult education is practice-focused and participatory, informed by learner-centered and asset-based methods that hold the potential for both personal growth and societal transformation. Courses are hosted on-campus at St. Francis Xavier University in Canada, off-campus in communities around the globe, and online using various communications platforms.
Given the uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Coady Institute’s 2021 courses will take place online. We remain hopeful that a return to on-campus course offerings will be possible by May, 2022. Further information will be released as details for future programming emerge.
Online Education Programs for 2021/2022
Coady is offering an extensive program of online courses this year as we continue our commitment to developing knowledge and skills for social change. Online courses begin in April 2021 and offer the opportunity to learn with a cohort of change leaders from around the globe while balancing work and family commitments, offering affordable rates, and ensuring the health and safety of participants and staff by learning from home. Join us as we explore subjects ranging from climate change and community resilience, to the future of work and workers, to conflict transformation and peacebuilding, and more!
Climate Change Basics for Community Resilience
(January 17 – March 6, 2022)
This online course begins with a basic overview of the science behind climate change. Toward the end of the course, there is an emphasis on understanding some of the main international policy agreements meant to combat climate change before focusing on what individuals and communities are doing to prevent and cope with changes in climate. The course finishes by focusing on what individuals can do on a daily basis to create positive change. Read more about the Climate Change course.
Advancing Women’s Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding for Community Development
(January 17 – March 13, 2022)
This course is designed to advance understandings of conflict, security, and peace for women’s leadership in a changing world. In this course, we explicitly emphasize women’s experiences, roles, knowledge, opportunities, and barriers in security, conflict transformation, and peace building –particularly in community and organizational spaces. Read more about this Peacebuilding course.
Building on Abundance in Indigenous Communities
January 10 – February 11, 2022
This program, open to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit participants residing in Canada, will introduce you to Indigenous principles and practices for community work that build on strengths and assets for action. Our goal is to provide you with community-building tools and methods to meet the needs of present-day Indigenous families, communities, and Nations. Read more about the Building Abundance in Indigenous Communities program.
Developmental Evaluation for Social Impact
(February 21, 2022 – April 3, 2022)
This course is taught from a Canadian perspective for participants from the G20. The G20 comprises 19 countries and the European Union. Developmental Evaluation is an exciting new approach to evaluation that enables social innovators, policy and program managers, and community leaders to design, monitor and adapt social change initiatives in complex and uncertain environments. Read more about the Developmental Evaluation course.
Introduction to Social Enterprise
(March 7 – April 22, 2022)
Beginning with an assessment of the emergence and history of the social entrepreneurship movement, this course will cover topics such as the for-profit and not-for-profit divide, the need for varied capital at different stages, and aspects of institutional and personal leadership. Read more about the Introduction to Social Enterprise course.
Research Methods for Social Impact
May 16 – June 26, 2022
This course is taught from a Canadian perspective for participants from the G20. The G20 comprises 19 countries and the European Union. Through an interactive learning approach that models adult learning principles and uses asynchronous and synchronous learning modalities, participants will explore the social and ethical implications of community-based research, develop data gathering tools such as survey questionnaires, interview and focus group techniques, investigate approaches to data analysis and management, and examine ways to communicate results to different audiences. Read more about the Research Methods for Social Impact course.
Application deadlines for the following program offerings are now closed, however may be opening again soon. Check back for updates.
Action Research for Citizen-Led Change
(June 14 – July 30, 2021)
This course covers the fundamentals of action research for citizen-led change. This course will accompany you in identifying and undertaking research that engages citizens more fully from the outset in a spirit of co-learning. Read more about the Action Research course.
Adult Education and Learning for Community Development
(September 20 – November 14, 2021)
This course is a global space for sharing and learning about the practices and theories of adult education and learning for community development. Over eight weeks, you will have opportunities to reflect on your role and practice as an educator, explore theories and practices of adult learning, consider gender, power and learning for social change, and develop skills for designing adult education, including online learning. Read more about the Adult Education program.
Asset-Based and Citizen-Led Development (ABCD)
(August 16 – October 15, 2021)
This course is a global space for sharing and learning about the principles, practices and tools that put local assets and action at the centre any development initiative. It offers a “time-out” for you to question conventional community development practices and beliefs and to re-evaluate the role of institutions in stimulating and supporting genuine asset-based and citizen-led development (ABCD). Read more about the ABCD Course
Citizen-Led Accountability: Strategies and Practices
(September 23 – November 11, 2021)
Citizens have the right and responsibility to hold state actors and other power holders (e.g., corporations, NGOs) accountable for decisions and actions that affect their lives. Citizen-led or “social” accountability – refers to a range of approaches and practices that enable citizens (including those who are often excluded) to work with governments in a meaningful and effective way in pursuit of increased transparency, citizen voice, improved governance systems, and ultimately, a culture of accountability leading to positive changes in people’s lives. This course will help equip you to understand the underlying principles of citizen-led accountability, and craft context-appropriate proposals to build accountability into your work. Read more about the Citizen-Led Accountability course.
Feminist Leadership For Justice, Equity and Ecology
(May 24 – July 9, 2021)
This online program will provide inspiration for women around the world (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) to enhance their leadership capacities for citizen-led community-driven development and create spaces for social change to occur. Read more about the Feminist Leadership for Justice program.
Future of Work and Workers
(September 27 – December 10, 2021)
This ambitious course will help participants better understand the magnitude and intensity of the current changes shaping the world of work and provide a peek into what is to come. Read more about the Future of Work and Workers course.
Resources and Tools for Working with Young Women Leaders
(September 20 – November 5, 2021)
This seven-week course is designed for community workers and program implementers working with young women to enhance their active citizenship. In this course you will learn overarching frameworks, approaches, and tools for engaging young women leaders as change agents on gender equality, ongoing learning, health rights, and economic agency. This course will be co-facilitated by young women professionals, drawing on their real-life experiences in developing leadership of girls and young women. You will culminate your learning in the development of a step-by-step proposal for how you will work with young women in your own community. Read more about the Resources and tools course.