IICADD celebrates 50 years with the international cooperative research community
July 16, 2025
The Institut international des coopératives Alphonse-et-Dorimène-Desjardins (IICADD) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. This milestone was highlighted at the banquet hosted by the IICADD for the 5th Global Research Conference of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA CCR).
The IICADD hosted the ICA CCR conference from July 8 to 11, 2025 at HEC Montréal’s Hélène Desmarais Building, in partnership with the Association of Cooperative Educators (ACE) and the Canadian Association for Studies in Cooperation (CASC). This event, which is held every 2 years, took on particular significance this year as 2025 marks the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives.
It was the largest international research conference on cooperatives ever held, with over 300 participants specializing in the field from 64 countries, including 70 students.
The event highlighted the relevance of the cooperative model with regard to the increasing number of unprecedented global challenges — whether ecological, social, democratic, demographic or economic — in promoting justice and sustainability. The conference was organized in an eco-cooperative manner thanks to the support of Coop HEC Montréal for the catering and Retournzy for the reusable glasses and containers, and it was Fairtrade certified.
The conference banquet also paid tribute to Honorary Professors Marie-Claire Malo and Benoit Tremblay for their outstanding contribution to cooperative research and development.
Wishes from the Secretary General
“The IICADD continues to support the cooperative movement with passion, rigour and vision today, just as it did 50 years ago. It is a beacon for those who believe in a more humane, more equitable, and more sustainable economy. These are my values, and I truly believe in them.
To all those who have contributed to this wonderful adventure — students, professors, partners, allies of the cooperative environment — thank you and congratulations! The work you do is essential, and it creates ripples far beyond the walls of HEC Montréal.
Long live the IICADD, and may the next few decades be as rich, bold and full of hope as the first five!”
—Johanne Turbide, Secretary General of HEC Montréal
Johanne Turbide, Secretary General of HEC Montréal, at the conference banquet.
Photo credit: Olivier Ouimet, Agence Voltaic
About the IICADD
Founded in 1975, the IICADD is the oldest research unit still in operation at HEC Montréal. Its mission is to support the cooperative movement with evidence-based research.
The IICADD is structured around four areas of activity:
- Support research on the cooperative and mutualist movement.
- Equip the student community and faculty.
- Ensure knowledge transfer.
- Promote access to, development of, and sharing of knowledge through PortailCoop, the world’s largest digital library on cooperatives and mutuals.
The current IICADD team with Honorary Professor Marie-Claire Malo, Honorary Professor Benoit Tremblay and Michelle Champagne, HEC Montréal’s first librarian on cooperatives.
Photo credit: Olivier Ouimet, Agence Voltaic
