Media Advisory – Navigating global turmoil and polarization through cooperatives, a model that must be strengthened for a fair and sustainable world
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Montréal, July 3, 2025 – The Institut international des coopératives Alphonse-et-Dorimène-Desjardins (IICADD) of HEC Montréal invites media representatives to the Global Research Conference on Cooperatives, which will be held from July 8 to 11, 2025 in Montréal.
As 2025 marks the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives, this major conference will emphasize the relevance of the cooperative model at the global level in promoting justice, sustainability and prosperity and more broadly on social and solidarity economy.
Relevance of the cooperative model in a world in transition
In a world plagued by immense geopolitical changes, global rebalancing, tariff conflicts and wars on several continents as well as ongoing global warming, cooperatives are emerging as a model that must be strengthened to build a fair and sustainable world for all.
Cooperatives are resilient structures that rely on democratic governance while fulfilling the needs of the community.
Hundreds of participants expected from the local and international ecosystem
Several stakeholders from the international cooperative ecosystem, including practitioners and policy makers, will attend the conference.
See list of speakers [in French]
Program
Topics include:
- Sustainable agrifood systems
- Circular economy, social and solidarity economy
- Decolonization of the economy
- Governance and diversity, ethics
- Cooperative law, ethics
- Innovation through intercooperation
- Opportunities and challenges for financial cooperatives
- Renewable energy communities
About IICADD HEC Montréal
The Institut international des coopératives Alphonse-et-Dorimène-Desjardins (IICADD) of HEC Montréal is hosting the 5th Global Research Conference of the International Cooperative Alliance.
Founded in 1975, this organization supports the cooperative movement with evidence-based data. The Institute is structured into four areas of activity: supporting research on the cooperative and mutualist movement, equipping the student community and faculty members, disseminating knowledge and promoting access, development, and sharing of knowledge through PortailCoop, the world’s largest digital library on cooperatives and mutuals.
Sustainable transition
This conference is part of HEC Montréal’s positioning regarding sustainable transition. The School is committed to doing more for the sustainable management of a world in transition. It acknowledges the complexity of this major social issue, and pledges to evolve continuously and support managers and organizations in making the transition to a more sustainable economy.
Director and spokesperson of IICADD HEC Montréal
Rafael Ziegler, Associate Professor, Department of Management
rafael.ziegler [at] hec.ca (rafael[dot]ziegler[at]hec[dot]ca)
Expertise
- Cooperatives
- Circular economy
- Innovation studies
- Sustainability science and planning
- Environmental philosophy
Practical information
Date: July 8 to 11 2025 during the day (complete schedule in the program)
Location: HEC Montréal/Hélène Desmarais Building
501, rue De La Gauchetière Ouest
Montréal, Quebec H2Z 1Z5
Information and accreditation
Emilie Novales, APR
Senior Media Relations Advisor
emilie.novales [at] hec.ca (emilie[dot]novales[at]hec[dot]ca)
438 520 3536