If the Co-operative Movement is to benefit from this research, it needs to encourage the enquiring, critical, and creative spirit which exists at the Centre for the Study of Co-operatives.

— Chris Axworthy, first director of the Centre for the Study of Co-operatives, 1987

 

Announcement of Funding for the Co-operative Studies Centre, March 24, 1982 Peter Hlushko, chair, Co-operative College of Canada; Jim Wright, corporate secretary, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool; Peter Zakreski, director of personnel, Federated Co-Operative Ltd.; and Dr. Leo F. Kristjanson, University President; Don Cody, Saskatchewan Minister of Co-operation and Co-operative Development; and Lynden Hillier, director of administration, Credit Union Central of Saskatchewan.

In 1984, the members of the co-operative sector (including Federated Co-operatives Limited, Credit Union Central of Saskatchewan, and the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool) partnered with the University of Saskatchewan and the Province of Saskatchewan to support the creation of the Centre for the Study of Co-operatives (now Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives, or CCSC), a research and education centre devoted to co-operatives. At the time, this type of tripartite partnership between the co-operative sector, university, and government – as well as the model of the Centre – was unprecedented and a first of its kind. 

Since its inception, the CCSC has both produced interdisciplinary research, analysis, and conceptual tools that strengthen the co-operative sector and provide postsecondary-level educational programming for students and co-operative practitioners. 

This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the CCSC – an opportunity to celebrate our first 40 years and toast to the future of interdisciplinary, collaborative, co-operative research, education, training, and engagement. 

Full coverage of the CCSC’s 40th anniversary events and activities will be forthcoming. 

You can read more on the CCSC’s 40th anniversary via the following articles: