Cooperative Voices Event to highlight Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions’ efforts on eve of GAC
GWLN, WYCUP and WOCCU International Advocacy to also participate in activities during the week of CUNA's Governmental Affairs Conference
MADISON, WI (January 26, 2022) — Hear the stories of four people from different parts of the world who are prospering thanks to the work of Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions during its February 27 Cooperative Voices Event at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.
The first-time event, sponsored by CUNA Mutual Group, will provide concrete examples of how Worldwide Foundation is helping to bridge credit union gaps that transform member communities worldwide. Attendees will hear stories from:
- A Venezuelan migrant who received assistance through World Council of Credit Unions’ Economic Inclusion Project (EIP) to start her own business in Peru.
- A credit union manager in Haiti who got his branch back up and running after a devastating 2021 earthquake, thanks to a grant from Worldwide Foundation’s Project Storm Break Fund.
- A woman who grew in her leadership role as a credit union executive through membership in a Global Women’s Leadership Network Sister Society in the Philippines.
- A member of the World Council Young Credit Union Professionals (WYCUP) program who is creating connections between established credit union professionals and young leaders through a mentorship program in Australia.
“Together, the stories of these four unique individuals will show how we are working through our 2022 Bridge the Gap campaign to bridge an inclusion gap, a safety gap, a gender gap and a leadership gap in credit unions around the world,” said Mike Reuter, Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions Executive Director.
World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) President and CEO Elissa McCarter LaBorde will also speak on her vision for the organization and its members moving forward.
You can learn more and register for the Cooperative Voices Event by clicking here.
GWLN Breakfast at GAC
The Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN) Breakfast at GAC will return as an in-person event at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on March 2.
SheforShes, HeforShes, Sister Society leaders and other industry partners will join together and tie on their PINK to hear a story of impact from a GWLN Cooperative Voice and support the 2022 Bridge the Gap Campaign.
GWLN thanks PSCU and CO-OP Financial Services for their sponsorship of this year’s event. You can learn more and register for the GWLN Breakfast here.
WYCUP to help “crash” GAC
WYCUP Director Thomas Belekevich will bring global perspectives on youth empowerment to the Crash the GAC events put on by Filene Research Institute’s Cooperative Trust, CUNA and state credit union leagues, beginning on February 26.
WYCUP is supporting the participation of Esther Rajadurai, policy analyst at Customer Owned Banking Association in Australia, who will share insights on advocacy from down under and highlight efforts to strengthen WYCUP’s global network of young professionals.
International Advocacy to host GAC Breakout Session
World Council of Credit Unions’ International Advocacy team will be participating directly in GAC, with Senior Vice President of International Advocacy and General Counsel Andrew Price hosting the March 1 breakout session: Improving Services to Women, an International Perspective.
The session will feature experts who will delve into how financial inclusion often fails to recognize the obstacles women face and how removing those barriers can help improve DEI at a credit union.
Admission to this breakout session is included with registration to GAC. For updated information on time and location of this session, follow updates to the GAC event schedule.
About World Council of Credit Unions
World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development platform for credit unions. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.
World Council has implemented 300+ technical assistance programs in 90 countries. Worldwide, 82,758 credit unions in 97 countries serve 404 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.
