A unique distance education program, designed to equip co-operative and credit union managers with the skills, knowledge and ability to successfully lead their organisations in the global economy will commence in September 2003. The degree will be offered as a distance Masters in Management of Co-operatives and Credit Unions.

The main partners behind this exciting new initiative are the School of Commerce at St Mary's University in Nova Scotia, Canada and an international co-op comprising credit union organisations, co-operative educational institutions and individuals from the UK, Canada and the USA.

The partners have formed the Co-operative management Education Co-operative (CMEC). CMEC includes major and small co-operatives, and credit unions. Executive Director, Tom Webb, former manager of Co-op Atlantic says, "In the age of Enron, we see our co-operative difference as 'the co-operative advantage'. The key is to link values, sound management and financial success,"

The Masters program will foster the creation of co-operative accounting tools, drawing on the best practice of co-operative businesses around the world. Details on the program are available at the St Mary's University web site or from Tom Webb, Executive Director, CMEC at jtwebb@auracom.com.

Article courtesy of the Co-operative Federation of NSW - Extract from Federation News, March 2003