Program Overview
PowerED is introducing a new flagship executive education pathway designed to equip diplomats, lawyers, government officials, and extractive sector professionals with the skills required to navigate today’s complex international investment landscape.
The pathway begins with a one day introductory program and continues into four advanced 4 day modules, each offering deep, practical, case based training. Together, these programs form a coherent, multi stage professional development track that reflects how investment decisions unfold in real jurisdictions.
This is the first program of its kind to integrate:
- investment agreements and investor protections
- diplomatic–business engagement
- political economy risk
- political risk insurance (PRI)
- multilateral development bank (MDB) financing
- extractive sector realities
- strategic advisory skills
PowerED will be the only institution offering this comprehensive, realistic, and multi disciplinary curriculum.
Course Purpose
Diplomats, investors, financial professionals, managers, and legal personnel operate in environments where investment decisions are shaped not only by market conditions, but also by legal frameworks, dispute resolution mechanisms, corruption risks, and multilateral financing structures. To successfully attract smart foreign direct investment, defined as high-value, low-risk, and innovation-driven, these professionals require an integrated understanding of international investment systems.
The program fosters a shared understanding between foreign investors and diplomatic representatives on how to collaborate for investment projects that are profitable, sustainable, and aligned with host country priorities. The course equips investors with critical legal and practical knowledge while helping diplomats understand investor perspectives, creating a foundation for trust, transparency, and long-term success. Participants can access a 4-day intensive experience built around “Building Bridges – Foreign Investors and Diplomats for Sustainable Investment Success” and continue to benefit from expanded, immersive learning that goes beyond the standard one-day session.
Extend your learning with an enhanced offering includes extended, in-depth analysis of international investment strategy, advanced governance frameworks, risk mitigation, and negotiation insights tailored for economic development professionals, diplomats, investors, and legal experts. Learners will also gain direct access to world-class guest speakers and industry leaders, fostering rich discussions and practical perspectives on attracting high-value, sustainable investment. This multi-day format amplifies knowledge transfer and equips participants with both the theoretical foundations and real-world tools needed to succeed in complex foreign direct investment environments.
A Multi Stage Professional Pathway
Stage 1 - One Day Introductory Program
Launch: October 20, 2026
This one day program introduces the core systems that shape international investment:
- how investment agreements structure investor protections
- how diplomats and businesses collaborate in high stakes environments
- how political risk insurance influences investor behaviour
- how MDB financing conditions shape host state regulatory decisions
The one day program is intentionally designed as the gateway to the advanced modules. It provides foundational understanding while revealing the complexity of real investment environments.
Participants leave with a clear sense of the broader pathway and the opportunity to continue into deeper, specialized training.
Strategic Use of Case Studies
The introductory program uses short, high impact teaser case studies to demonstrate the realities of investment decision making. These cases are not full simulations; they are concise, provocative scenarios designed to:
- expose the collision of legal, political, and financial factors
- reveal gaps in participants’ current knowledge
- create curiosity and appetite for deeper learning
- naturally lead into the advanced modules
Each teaser case is presented briefly, followed by one or two strategic questions. The cases are intentionally left unresolved, highlighting the need for the extended modules where full simulations and detailed analysis take place.
- International investment agreements
- Investor-state dispute systems
- Multilateral financing structures
- Corruption risks and governance considerations
How It Works
Engage in this one-day, live online seminar guided by subject-matter experts; discuss topics and explore real-world examples while learning other perspectives from your cohort learners.
Course Access
1-day online
Effort
8 hours
Delivery
Online (live)
Instruction
Instructor-led
Cost
$1,200
Why This Pathway Matters
A Global Gap in Training
No major institution currently offers an integrated curriculum combining investment agreements, diplomacy, political economy risk, PRI, MDB financing, and extractive sector realities. PowerED will be the first to deliver a program that reflects the real complexity of international investment.
A Structured Professional Development Track
Participants can begin with a one day program and progress into advanced modules, creating a clear, scalable pathway for professional growth.
A Program Designed for Real World Application
The curriculum is built around realistic scenarios, strategic decision making, and the practical challenges faced by diplomats, investors, and extractive sector leaders.
This one-day course is designed to benefit investors, insurers, legal and financial professionals, and diplomats involved in foreign jurisdiction investment. Participants gain foundational knowledge to better navigate the complexities of host state negotiations and manage long-term investment operations with greater confidence.
Keith C. Minty B.Sc., P. Eng. MBA
Mr. Minty, B.Sc., P. Eng. MBA has more than 45 years professional experience in mineral resource exploration and development in precious and base metals, industrial minerals in Canada and internationally. Mr. Minty has directly involved in the realizing mineral resource projects value by resource development, constructing, operating and managing gold and platinum group metal projects. Mr. Minty was the Co-Founder of Stope Capital Advisors, Inc. in 2012, a private Canadian company engaged in merchant banking transactions in the mining, energy and agriculture sectors. Mr. Minty has been associated with premier mineral resource exploration and developing companies such as Hunter Dickinson Inc., Viceroy Resources, North American Palladium, Thani Investments, Stope Capital Advisors, Aurvista Gold and Greenland Resources in many senior operating , management and corporate positions. Mr. Minty is a co-founder of Global Business Risk Management (GBRM) which provides investment rick consulting services to corporate and management to companies interested in investing and/or operate in foreign jurisdictions.
Mr. Minty is an active member of the board of directors of three mineral resource companies.
Mr. Minty obtained a B.Sc. in Mining Engineering from Queen’ University, Kingston Ontario, Canada in 1978 and in 2014 received from Athabasca University his Masters of Business Administration degree.
Alan Franklin JD LLM
Alan obtained a JD in Law from University of Toronto, Canada in 1975 and LLM in International Law from London School of Economics in 1976.
Alan has developed and taught courses on International Business Risk Management and Due Diligence for Business for Athabasca University Executive MBA program for the past decade.
In 2015 he was engaged to teach courses on international law and diplomatic law to diplomats and consular officers globally as a faculty member of DiploFoundation in association with the University of Malta and has done so each year ever since. Through Diplo, in 2022 he was invited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates to give seminars to their diplomats on international law and international investment law.
In 2020 Alan was invited by the National Institute of Diplomacy and International Relations (NIDIR) to give seminars to Cambodian Diplomats on international law, international investment law to assist Cambodian diplomats in attracting foreign investment.
From 2019 to 2023, Alan taught courses on international dispute resolution, international investment law and investor state dispute settlement for master’s degree students in international law and international business at the Royal University of Law and Economics in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This is a joint program with the Université Paris8, University of Fribourg, University of Montreal and Université Libre de Bruxelles.
Alan is an active member of the Columbia University “Teaching Business and Human Rights Forum”
As Managing Director of Global Business Risk Management (Vancouver and Toronto, Canada), Alan developed insights into issues of business risk analysis and management on a practical level that are not well known nor discussed in the literature or at conferences which has empowered him to teach.
He has acted as a consultant to the African Development Bank, ASEAN, Asian Development Bank, and Foreign Affairs Departments of many states. The focus of this work is training states on the tools available to attract foreign investment. Political risk is the most important concern to foreign investors, and understanding the protections of International Investment Agreements, political risk insurance, use of International Financial Institutions to reduce those concerns for the investor. Consular and diplomatic agents are the interface between the foreign investor and the host state.
The Strategic International Investment Pathway is a comprehensive, multi stage program that begins with a one day gateway course and continues into advanced 4 day modules. It is designed to meet the needs of professionals operating in complex investment environments.
Course FAQs
Is this an instructor-led course?
This course is provided live, online with two subject matter experts who will lead learners through the one-day course. Guest speakers will provide additional context and perspective throughout the day.
How much time will I need to spend?
This live, online course is slated for 8 hours, with short breaks and a lunch hour provided.
Do I have to be online at a certain time of day?
Yes, the course begins sharply at 9am on the day of instruction.
When do I start?
You will have access to course materials once you register and the live portion of the course will be available at 9am.
How long will I have access to the course?
All course materials will be provided on the day of instruction.
What is the refund policy?
No refunds will be issued for courses. Refunds may be considered under exceptional circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Please contact powered@athabascau.ca for more information.
Are there tests or quizzes involved?
There will be guest speakers, discussions and case studies provided without any formal assessment.
What are the computer requirements for this course?
You should have access to a Mac, PC, or tablet with an Internet connection, with Safari, Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Firefox as a browser. Here is a link that outlines browser support:
https://documentation.brightspace.com/EN/brightspace/requirements/all/browser_support.htm
For virtual sessions:
- Speakers/headphones
- Web camera and microphone
Learners that want to use their smart phone to access the courses can also download the D2L Pulse App for free to access the course available on Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.d2l.brightspace.student.android&hl=en_CA
Or the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/brightspace-pulse/id1001688546
Does this course have prerequisites?
This course does not have a required prerequisite.
Who do I contact if I need help?
You can contact powered@athabascau.ca for assistance with any questions you may have. We are here to help!