MADISON, Wis. — The World Council of Credit Unions reported it has restructured its menu of educational opportunities under the umbrella of The Global Classroom Initiative.
“This new format expands opportunities for credit union professionals to explore impactful initiatives, establish international relationships and address the shared challenges facing financial cooperatives around the world,” WOCCU said.
Encompassing a variety of educational and networking activities - including immersion and e-learning programs, regional workshops, mini-summits, youth leadership exchanges and partnership collaboration – The Global Classroom creates a unique environment for learning and networking, according to WOCCU.
“The Global Classroom leverages World Council’s role as a bridge between financial cooperatives around the world,” said Thomas Belekevich, program manager at World Council, “cultivating credit unions’ inherent willingness to cooperate by connecting prominent organizations within the sector with international colleagues seeking new ideas for improving financial services in their communities.”
WOCCU said this dynamic is most evident in its Immersion Programs which turn hosting credit union organizations into centers of knowledge, where staff become ambassador-mentors, sharing best practices and insight on their organization’s success. In recent years, World Council said it has facilitated dozens of Immersion Programs around the globe highlighting topics ranging from grassroots advocacy to core banking solutions and financial education initiatives.
This year, World Council said it has expanded opportunities for a two-way dialogue with visiting delegations through a series of Mini-summits, where local credit unions are invited to join a facilitated discussion on shared challenges facing financial cooperatives globally. “These Mini-summits represent a robust setting for credit union professionals from diverse backgrounds, cultures and perspectives to explore wide-ranging issues, from strategies for maintaining relevance with the next generation of members to small credit union sustainability and collaborative initiatives,” WOCCU said. “During this exchange of ideas, Mini-summit participants are exposed to enlightening new perspectives with the potential to break the status quo and examine new ways of approaching old problems.”
According to WOCCU, the Global Classroom relies upon an expansive network of dedicated volunteers with a willingness to share their experience. Each year, World Council collaborates with member organizations to provide regional learning opportunities where volunteer specialists share their knowledge of relevant trends and current issues. Regional Workshops and Partnership exchanges planned for this year will focus on the member journey, collaboration with fintech, blockchain technology and expanding service through innovation.
WOCCU added the Global Classroom provides its credit union constituents access to expanded opportunities to learn, explore, educate and network with credit unions around the world.
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