2023 ACE Institute
To have all the information in your pocket, discover our ACE INSTITUTE 2023 booklet.
This page is available in Spanish and in French.
When it comes to adapting to change, whether induced by the climate crisis, economic fluctuations or societal shifts, the strength and resilience of cooperatives have often been demonstrated. Come to share your experience and expertise in co-operative development and co-operative education at this Institute focusing on Climate, Cooperatives & Resilience!
An ACE Institute focused on co-operative resilience
In August 2023, ACE Institute is returning to Puerto Rico after ten years away from the island. Every year, our aim is to bridge the distance between co-op educators and developers from the American continent by offering them a unique opportunity to share their expertise and experience and learn from each other, all reunited in the same place.
This year, the institute will focus on the resilience of cooperatives and sustainable innovations born of adaptation to changes related to the climate crisis but not only. We will continue to share the stories that have at their core a common quest for equity, social justice, climate justice and reconciliation and upon which co-ops are built.
No matter what part of the Americas you are from, if you are a co-op educator, a co-op manager or a co-op developer, this is the conference for you!
What is the conference format?
The conference will occur entirely in person from August 7 -10 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Come and enjoy various exciting panels spanning over 3 days, an interactive co-ops tour to discover the local co-op ecosystem of the San Juan area, and plenty of networking opportunities between cooperative educators from all over the Americas.
Panels will be made available in English, Spanish and French.
What sets the ACE Institute apart
- A friendly environment where sharing experiences and knowledge about cooperative education is central,
- An unforgettable immersion in the local co-operative ecosystem,
- Multiple opportunities to join discussion groups and enrich your connections across borders,
- The chance to combine business with pleasure by extending your stay on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico.
Who is invited?
No matter what part of the Americas you are from, if you are a co-op educator, a co-op manager or a co-op developer, this is the conference for you!
Students and young (and less young) professionals are welcome to join to attend exciting panels (check our “meet our speakers” section as they are announced), connect with peers across borders and discover more about co-ops in Puerto Rico as 2023 marks the 100th year of the first co-op on the island!
How to Register?
Registration is now open so get in early for discounted tickets!
This is a limited time offer.
We look forward to seeing you in San Juan in August!
Agenda
Monday, August 7, 2023 – Day 1
| 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Institute Check-in Lobby |
| 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Welcome Reception 8th Floor Terrace |
Tuesday, August 8, 2023 – Day 2 EDP University
| 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m | Continental Breakfast Grand Opera Foyer |
| 8:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. | Institute Check-in Lobby |
| 9:20 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. | Welcome to the ACE Institute: Opening remarks Salón de Actos |
| 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. | Plenary session – Puerto Rico Co-ops: Meeting the Challenge of Resilience José Julián Ramírez Ruiz Salón de Actos |
| 10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. | Coffee break – Poster Hall – Networking Salón 403 |
| 11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Ears to the Ground, Eyes to the Sky: Lessons From the Land and Young QTBIPOC Cooperative Leaders Ayano Jeffers-Fabro, Ab Banks, Paulina Rodríguez Ruiz Salón 411 |
| 11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Puerto Rican Climate Smart Coffee, d.b.a. Café del Futuro Marcus Laws, Iris Janette Rodriguez, Christian Rivera-Goyco, Franco Jiménez Sanabria Salón de Actos |
| 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch Salón 403 |
| 1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. | How Cooperatives Can Build Economic, Social, and Community Resiliency Through Cooperative Capital Christina Jennings, René A. Vargas Martínez, Esther J. West Salón de Actos |
| 1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. | EmprendeCoop: Towards an economy for life Dr. Carlos Vazquez Riviera, Mayra Nieves Rosa, Jaime Cuevas, Indira B. Medina Córdova Salón 411 |
| 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Measuring the Impact of Doing Good Isabelle Stein Salón 411 |
| 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Building a Sustainable Puerto Rico from Cooperatives and their Communities Dr. Frances Figarella García, Lorena Franco Salón de Actos |
| 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Life Centered Learning Reimagining Technical Assistance and its Role in Emerging Co-op Ecosystems Johan Matthews Salón 410 |
| 4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Coffee break – Poster Hall – Networking Salón de Actos |
| 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | How Can Agricultural Coops Become Models in the Fight Against Climate Change? Pascal Billard Salón 411 |
| 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Co-op Education Challenges for developing Co-ops with Incarcerated and Previously Incarcerated people Jessica Gordon-Nembhard, Lymarie Nieves Plaza, Alan Vicens Lugo Salón de Actos |
| 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Building a Resilient Worker Cooperative Ecosystem in Madison, Wisconsin Charity Schmidt, Frida Ballard, Rek Kwawer Salón 410 |
| 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | Discover Puerto Rican Food Buffet Grand Opera |
Wednesday, August 9, 2023 – Day 3
| 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. | Continental Breakfast Grand Opera Foyer |
| 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | ACE Annual General Meeting Grand Opera |
| 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Co-op tour + Mobile Learning Sessions |
| 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | ACE Banquet | Awards Ceremony | Silent Auction Grand Opera |
| 10:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. | Live Music Grand Opera |
Thursday, August 10, 2023 – Day 4
| 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. | Continental Breakfast Grand Opera Foyer |
| 8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Workshop for a Co-op Climate Action Plan Esther J. West, Gary Hampton Aria |
| 8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | How Cooperative Developers Support Resilient Communities Alex Stone, Bijiibah Begaye, Charity Schmidt Grand Opera |
| 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Coffee break – Poster Hall – Networking Grand Opera Foyer |
| 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Is the Cooperative Identity Facilitating Sustainability Strategies and Results: the Case of Funeral Cooperatives in Quebec Michel Lafleur Aria |
| 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Virtual Co-op Education: What Options Are There and How Can We Cooperate for Greater Impact on People, Coops and Climate? Camila Piñeiro Grand Opera |
| 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch – Open mic Grand Opera Foyer |
Meet our Speakers!
Puerto Rico Co-ops: Meeting the Challenge of Resilience
Executive Director of FIDECOOP
Keynote Speaker
Ears to the ground, eyes to the sky: Lessons from the land and young QTBIPOC cooperative leaders
Measuring the impact of doing good.
Puerto Rican Climate Smart Coffee, d.b.a. Café del Futuro
Virtual Co-op Education: What options are there and how can we cooperate for greater impact on people, coops and climate?
Building a Resilient Worker Cooperative Ecosystem in Madison, Wisconsin
Is the cooperative identity facilitating sustainability strategies and results: the case of funeral cooperatives in Quebec
Life Centered Learning Reimagining Technical Assistance and its Role in Emerging Co-op Ecosystems
How Can Agricultural Coops Become Models in the Fight Against Climate Change?
Workshop for a Co-op Climate Action Plan
How cooperatives can build economic, social, and community resiliency through cooperative capital.
How Cooperative Developers Support Resilient Communities
Building a Sustainable Puerto Rico from Cooperatives and their Communities
Workshop on Co-op Education Challenges for developing Co-ops with Incarcerated and Previously Incarcerated people
EmprendeCoop: Towards an economy for life
Learn more about Puerto Rican Co-ops!
Co-op tour
You will register for the co-op tour of your choice on a first-come first-serve basis at the Institute Check-in.
There will be three mini bus.
- The bus for the Co-op Tour 1 in Morovis area will leave at 10:30 a.m.
- The bus for the Co-op Tour 2 in Caguas-Cayey-Aibonito area will leavte at 10:30 a.m.
- The bus for the Co-op Tour 3 in San Juan area will leave at 10 a.m.
Don’t be late!
Tour 1
- Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito Moroveña
- CABACOOP – Las Cabachuelas
- Cafe Cibales Cooperative de Agro Turismo PR in Ciales
Tour 2
- Lunch – tbc
- Cooperativa Fabideas en Aibonito
- Cooperativa de Energia de San Salvador (Pirucho Coop) en Caguas
Tour 3
Logistics
Your Destination: San Juan
Capital of Puerto Rico, San Juan is a 4.5-hour average direct flight from most major US or Canadian centers. San Juan Airport (SJU) hosts major Canadian and American airlines such as Air Canada, WestJet, Delta, United and American Airlines. To find a full list of airlines that serve San Juan’s (SJU) Airport, please consult this link.
Where to stay in San Juan?
The ACE Team negotiated preferential rates at the Verdanza Hotel. You can make your reservation by following this link
http://bookings.ihotelier.com/bookings.jsp?groupID=3900677&hotelID=73244
Or enter Group Code: ACEI0823 at www.verdanzahotel.com.
You can also reach Hotel Verdanza by phone: 787-625-9000 Ext. 3141, 3142, 3144 or 787-625-9025
Rates
$139/night for a king room or suite
$189/night for a double room
Weather and advice in Puerto Rico
Be aware that August is the wet season on the island of Puerto Rico.
Pack and use insect repellent to protect yourself efficiently against mosquito bites, especially during the sunset and the sunrise hours, as mosquitoes are more active during these periods.
Opt for light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester when you’re out and about for a long time.
Some co-operatives we will visit during the co-op tour are in mountainous areas. Be sure to bring closed-toe shoes suitable for trekking in muddy conditions and have a rain jacket or other protective gear.
Water is drinkable everywhere.
Getting to the Hotel Verdanza
The island’s main airport is Aeropuerto Internacional Luis Munoz Marin (SJU), 20 min east of Old San Juan in the neighborhood of Isla Verde and 1 mile away from Hotel Verdanza. The address is 8020 Tartak Ave, isla Verde, PR 00979.
Even though the Hotel is only 1 mile away from the airport, they don’t recommend to walk from there. There are many transportation options like taxis (search for taxis turísticos, they are white and have a “Taxi Turístico” label on the door), UBER, or you can make arrangements with the Hotel (subject to fee) prior to your arrival.
Institute Venues
The conference will be held at EDP University – Recinto de Hato Rey on Tuesday only.
The address is 560 Ave. Ponce de León PR 00918
For transportation & parking, a complimentary bus will leave at 8:45 a.m from Hotel Verdanza to EDP University – Recinto de Hato Rey . At the end of the day, the bus will leave at 5:45 p.m from EDP University – Recinto de Hato Rey to Hotel Verdanza.
If you do not want to use the complimentary bus , we recommend to use the Light Rail (Tren Urbano). The closest station from EDP University – Recinto de Hato Rey is Domenech.
If you decide to come by car, there is no available parking space at EDP University unless you’re a company working for the Institute that day. You’ll have to park in the street and or private parkings.
The conference will be held at Verdanza Hotel on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
The address is 8020 José M. Tartak Ave, Isla Verde, PR 00979
For transportation & parking, we recommend our attendees to use Uber, a taxi or their own car to arrive at Hotel Verdanza.
There is self -parking and valet parking at the Hotel. There is a special rate for guest of $10 self -parking and $12 for Valet.
Meals schedule
- Breakfast will be served between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m at Hotel Verdanza in the Grand Opera Foyer.
- Tuesday and Thursday, you’ll have a coffee break around 10 a.m.
- Lunch will be served at 12 p.m or 12:30 p.m depending on the day.
- Dinner will be served at 7 p.m.
Bus schedule for Tuesday (EDP University) and Wednesday (Co-op Tours)
A complimentary bus will take attendees from Hotel Verdanza to EDP University – Recinto de Hato Rey campus o Tuesday, August 8th. The exact location will be given at the Institute check-in.
- From Hotel Verdanza to EDP University : Departure at 08:45 a.m.
- From EDP University to Hotel Verdanza : Departure at 5:45 p.m.
Don’t be late!
Co-op tour
You will register for the co-op tour of your choice on a first-come first-serve basis at the Institute Check-in.
There will be three mini bus.
- The bus for the Co-op Tour 1 in Morovis area will leave at 10:30 a.m.
- The bus for the Co-op Tour 2 in Caguas-Cayey-Aibonito area will leavte at 10:30 a.m.
- The bus for the Co-op Tour 3 in San Juan area will leave at 10 a.m.
Don’t be late!
Interpretation needs
Some of the sessions will be live interpreted. If you need interpretation
You plan to extend your stay in Puerto Rico?
Good call! For ideas of what to do, where to go, visit https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/
Scholarships options
All scholarship applications are now closed
For young cooperative developers or educators aged 18 to 35 living in Quebec.
We are very proud to partner with Logiq to support young developers and educators involved in the cooperative education field to attend the 2023 ACE Institute in San Juan, Puerto Rico, this summer.
To learn more about the eligibility criteria, the provided support and to submit your application, click here (available in French only).
You have until June 12 to take advantage of this opportunity, don’t miss it and be part of the lucky ones who will participate in this unique conference in North America!
For U.S residents & members of historically underserved communities
We are very proud to partner with NCBA CLUSA to support US residents involved in a co-operative ecosystem to overcome the encountered barriers and participate in the 2023 ACE Institute in San Juan, Puerto Rico, this summer.
To qualify for these scholarships, here are the eligibility criteria:
- Be a U.S resident (including Hawaii and Puerto Rico) AND
- Be a co-operative developer or member from historically underserved communities OR,
- Be a co-operative developer working in historically underserved communities OR,
- Be a member of historically underserved communities volunteering and/or working according to the co-operative principles.
The selection process will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
We encourage individuals or groups who have encountered barriers to accessing resources and opportunities, typically because of social, economic, or cultural factors, and who have experienced discrimination or systemic disadvantages to apply.
To apply, please complete this form.
This call for applications will end on July 08, 2023.
Our sponsors
Hourly Schedule
Monday, August 7, 2023 – Day 1
- 5:00pm - 7:30pm
- Institute Check-in
- Hotel Verdanza - Lobby
- 7:00pm - 9:00pm
- Welcome Reception
- Hotel Verdanza - 8th Floor Terrace
Tuesday, August 8, 2023 – Day 2
- 7:30am - 8:30am
- Continental Breakfast
- Hotel Verdanza - Grand Opera Foyer
- 8:30am - 9:45am
- Institute Check-in
- Hotel Verdanza - Lobby
- 9:20am - 09:45am
- Welcome to the ACE Institute: Opening remarks
- EDP University - Salón de Actos
- 09:45am - 10:45am
- Plenary session - Puerto Rico Co-ops: Meeting the Challenge of Resilience
- EDP University - Salón de Actos
- 10:45am - 11:15am
- Coffee break - Poster Hall - Networking
- EDP University - Salón 403
- 11:15am - 12:30pm
- Ears to the ground, eyes to the sky: Lessons from the land and young QTBIPOC cooperative leaders
- EDP University - Salón 411
- 11:15am - 12:30pm
- Puerto Rican Climate Smart Coffee, d.b.a. Café del Futuro
- EDP University - Salón de Actos
- 12:30pm - 1:30pm
- Lunch
- EDP University - Salón 403
- 1:30pm - 2:45pm
- How Cooperatives Can Build Economic, Social, and Community Resiliency Through Cooperative Capital
- EDP University - Salón de Actos
- 1:30pm - 2:45pm
- Building a Resilient Worker Cooperative Ecosystem in Madison, Wisconsin
- EDP University - Salón de Actos
- 1:30pm - 2:45pm
- EmprendeCoop: Towards an economy for life
- EDP University - Salón 411
- 3:00pm - 4:00pm
- Measuring the Impact of Doing Good
- EDP University - Salón 411
- 3:00pm - 4:00pm
- Building a Sustainable Puerto Rico from Cooperatives and their Communities
- EDP University - Salón de Actos
- 3:00pm - 4:00pm
- Life Centered Learning Reimagining Technical Assistance and its Role in Emerging Co-op Ecosystems
- EDP University - Salón 410
- 4:00pm - 4:30pm
- Coffee break - Poster Hall - Networking
- EDP University - Salón de Actos
- 4:30pm - 5:30pm
- How Can Agricultural Coops Become Models in the Fight Against Climate Change?
- EDP University - Salón 411
- 4:30pm - 5:30pm
- Co-op Education Challenges for developing Co-ops with Incarcerated and Previously Incarcerated people
- EDP University - Salón de Actos
- 4:30pm - 5:30pm
- Building a Resilient Worker Cooperative Ecosystem in Madison, Wisconsin
- EDP University - Salón 410
- 7:00pm - 9:30pm
- Discover Puerto Rican Food Buffet
- Hotel Verdanza - Grand Opera
Wednesday, August 9, 2023 – Day 3
- 7:30am - 8:30am
- Continental Breakfast
- Hotel Verdanza - Grand Opera Foyer
- 8:30am - 10:00am
- ACE Annual General Meeting
- Hotel Verdanza - Grand Opera
- 10:30am - 5:30pm
- Co-op tour + mobile learning sessions
- 7:30pm - 10:00pm
- ACE Banquet | Awards Ceremony | Silent Auction
- Hotel Verdanza - Grand Opera
- 10:00pm - midnight
- Live Music
- Hotel Verdanza - Grand Opera
Thursday, August 10, 2023 – Day 4
- 7:30am - 8:30am
- Continental Breakfast
- Hotel Verdanza - Grand Opera Foyer
- 8:45am - 10:00am
- Workshop for a Co-op Climate Action Plan
- Hotel Verdanza - Aria
- 8:45am - 10:00am
- How Cooperative Developers Support Resilient Communities
- Hotel Verdanza - Grand Opera
- 10:00am - 10:30am
- Coffee break - Poster Hall - Networking
- Hotel Verdanza - Grand Opera Foyer
- 10:30am - 11:30am
- Is the cooperative identity facilitating sustainability strategies and results: the case of funeral cooperatives in Quebec
- Hotel Verdanza - Aria
- 10:30am - 11:30am
- Virtual Co-op Education: What options are there and how can we cooperate for greater impact on people, coops and climate?
- Hotel Verdanza - Grand Opera
- 12:00pm - 1:30pm
- Lunch – Open mic
- Hotel Verdanza - Grand Opera Foyer
