Manchester, United Kingdom — CLIMBS Life and General Insurance Cooperative, together with its education arm, the Co-operative College of the Philippines, proudly welcomed a new group of delegates to the Global Cooperative Executive Masterclass held in Manchester from February 9–11, 2026.
Cohort 6 opened its learning journey with a meaningful visit to the Rochdale Pioneers Museum in Rochdale—widely regarded as the birthplace of modern cooperation. The museum, which honors the legacy of the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers, offered participants a powerful introduction to the origins, values, and enduring principles that continue to guide cooperatives around the world. Through immersive storytelling and reflection, the visit grounded the cohort in a deeper understanding of cooperative identity and shared purpose.
In another historic and symbolic highlight, the Global Cooperative Executive Masterclass Cohort 6 stepped into the iconic Rochdale Town Hall. The delegation was warmly received by Deputy Mayor of Rochdale, Faisal Rana, whose welcome underscored the town’s enduring connection to—and support for—the global cooperative movement.
By returning to the roots of cooperation while engaging in contemporary global dialogue, CLIMBS and the Co-operative College of the Philippines continue to strengthen their commitment to advancing cooperative education, leadership, and solidarity across borders.
The experience was not merely historical; it was deeply reflective. Standing in the very space where cooperative principles were first put into practice, participants were invited to consider how those same values—voluntary and open membership, democratic control, economic participation, autonomy, education, cooperation among cooperatives, and concern for community—continue to shape their own leadership journeys today.
Through guided discussions, shared insights, and moments of quiet reflection, the visit anchored Cohort 6 in a renewed sense of cooperative identity and purpose. The museum served as both classroom and catalyst—reminding everyone that the cooperative movement began with ordinary people daring to imagine a more equitable future, and that its legacy endures through leaders willing to carry that vision forward.