Keith Cossey

Keith works with Canada’s Rural Partnership (www.rural.gc.ca) including the Rural Community Development Program and Co-operative Development Initiative.  He provides analysis and advice on rural and coastal issues, priorities and realities.  He co-ordinates a forum for federal and provincial governments and NGOs for a) the sharing of information and exchange of best practices on rural policies and programs, and b) fostering collaboration and developing partnerships in support of sustainable rural community development.  Formerly he was a Research Associate at the Rural and Small Town Research and Studies Programme, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick.  Prior to that he was the Executive Director of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Nova Scotia.

Keith has a Masters of Environmental Studies in Planning from York University, Toronto, Canada and worked for 35 years in community-based planning, research and development in the public, voluntary, co-operative and private sectors.  He participated in the North-South Co-operative Collaboration Project, a research and exchange project between the co-operative sectors of Canada and Tanzania.

Keith is an Exhibiting Member and serves on the Board of Directors of the ViewPoint Gallery of Contemporary Photography (www.viewpointgallery.ca).  VPG is a non-profit, artist’s co-operative serving its members and the community in promoting photography as a tool for community introspection, dialogue, innovation and change.