Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU), in partnership with World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU), is accepting applications through April 12 from Credit Union Development Educators (CUDEs) interested in obtaining the International Credit Union Development Educators (ICUDE) designation.
Designed to provide credit union employees and volunteers with a greater understanding of the international credit union system and opportunities for continued engagement, 2024 ICUDE designations are available to credit union professionals who complete four key criteria, listed below, along their global credit union journey. The first criteria is to graduate from their home country/regional CUDE program via one of seven national or regional DE programs, including:
- Africa DE, operated by the African Confederation of Co-operative Savings & Credit Associations (ACCOSCA).
- Asia DE, operated by the Association of Asian Confederation of Credit Unions (ACCU).
- CanadaDE, operated by the International Centre of Co-op Management (ICCM) at Saint Mary’s University
- Caribbean DE (CaribDE).
- European DE (DEEU), coordinated by the Association of British Credit Unions, Ltd. (ABCUL)
- Philippines DE, operated by VICTO National.
- United States DE, operated by the National Credit Union Foundation.
Before applying to obtain the ICUDE designation, applicants must also:
- Earn a DE designation from their home DE program.
- Complete at least one independent study project that aligns with the learning objectives of the DE program and provide a report of no less than 500 words detailing the project.
- Earn a second DE designation by completing a DE program outside of their home country/region.
- Attend a World Credit Union Conference or another significant credit union/co-op education and engagement event outside of their home country/region.
Once an application is received, the applicant’s national or regional CUDE program director will review and confirm their submission meets ICUDE requirements. The application will then be forwarded to Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions, whose staff will review, select and notify those chosen for ICUDE designation in coordination with CUDE program directors.
The ICUDE Class of 2024 will be recognized at the 2024 World Credit Union Conference, co-hosted by World Council of Credit Unions and America’s Credit Unions, July 21-24, in Boston, USA.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for credit union development educators who want to take the next step into the international arena and engage with peers from around the world who are working to solve problems for their credit unions and communities in new and innovative ways. We can’t wait to select the ICUDE Class of 2024 and introduce them to the world this summer,” said Mike Reuter, Executive Director of WFCU.
You can find out more about the 2024 ICUDE designation criteria and access the application form by clicking here. All applications are due by April 12, 2024.