Coady Institute’s grand opening a huge success

Exceptional day marks new home; 50 years of igniting leadership

“May our foundations support us, may our dedication sustain us, and may our hopes continue to inspire us all to work together for a better world.”
~ Coady director Mary Coyle in a toast opening the new home of the Coady International Institute

World leaders and community members came out in full force – an amazing crowd of over 1,000 people – to toast the Coady International Institute as it celebrated its 50th anniversary and the grand opening of its new $17 million home in the heart of the StFX campus.

Distinguished guests, in what can only be described as an exceptional day-long celebration, included former Canadian Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Paul Martin; Coady alumni, the Rt. Hon. W. Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, and Ann Meekitjuk Hanson, Commissioner of Nunavut; as well as the Hon. Frank McKenna, chair of the StFX Board of Governors and former New Brunswick premier.

In the crowd stood global leaders, former Coady graduates – who came from as far away as Palestine – faculty, staff and students, all who came not only to celebrate the Coady’s rich past, but the potential that now exists from the 4,645 square metres of modern classrooms, offices, conference and meeting rooms.

Many of those gathered remarked on the community pride permeating the air and the sense of accomplishment with all that has been done over the last 50 years and with the new building.

The official opening ceremonies began when local campaign co-chairs Steve Smith and John “Nova” Chisholm began walking respectively from the facility’s east and west wings towards the Moses Coady monument. Each carried a ribbon of flags unfurling behind them, which they tied together upon meeting.

Then, StFX President Dr. Sean Riley, Coady director and StFX VP Mary Coyle and Mr. McKenna slowly walked through the festive crowd towards the Coady statue. Ms. Coyle took the ceremonial scissors and with a cut of the ribbon officially proclaimed the Coady International Institute open. Glasses were raised in a champagne toast

An open house of the new facilities followed the ribbon cutting. Guests had an opportunity to meet Coady participants, taste international refreshments and learn about the education programs that make the Coady Institute a unique resource in the world. The day included self-guided tours, with displays and activities set up thoughout the building.

That evening, over 500 people attended the gala dinner.

The event was marked by powerful and emotional speeches including those by former Prime Minister Martin, Prime Minister Spencer and current Coady participant Inviolata Mwali Mmbwavi who visibly moved people with her speech.

Another highlight from the day included a choir of current Coady diploma participants performing a song entitled Leaders Live On, composed by Coady diploma participant Katrina Collins, with music direction by Dimgonglung Rongmei.

“We are opening our doors and inviting community members and our many leaders, friends and supporters from around the world to come see our new facilities,” Ms. Coyle said. “This is a momentous time for the Coady, and it is fitting that we mark this occasion with a day of memorable events that honour the impacts this remarkable Canadian institute is making around the world.”

Since 1959, the Coady Institute has provided professional education to over 5,000 leaders from over 130 countries, who are committed to improving the well-being of their communities, societies and countries. The Coady is unique in the world, having emerged from a movement for social and economic justice that began in Nova Scotia during the 1920s and spread across Canada and then around the globe.

Encompassing four restored historic campus buildings, the new home for the Coady Institute will provide the platform to make a huge step forward for the cause of justice, human dignity, and self-reliance.