VANCOUVER, B.C.–Attendees at the World Credit Union Conference were given an update on the activities of the Worldwide Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU).
Mike Reuter, executive director of the foundation, said the objective is to grow credit unions, advance financial inclusion, respond to crises and more.
The areas updated by Reuter included:
Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund
Reuter said nearly $2 million has been raised to date for the Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund for seven distinct relief programs.
To date, it has disbursed $646,000 for relief programs, and Reuter said the plan is to distribute the remaining funds over the rest of year, including $500,000 for a resilience initiative, $300,000 for a digitalization imitative (including building a core banking system and online lending launch), and $150,000 as part of an agriculture initiative.
Global Bridges
Global Bridges partners credit unions in different parts of the world, including Oklahoma and Barbados (IT and operations), Caribbean-South Korea (digitization and payments), and Indiana-Ireland (financial wellness).
”These are just a drop in the bucket of so many Global Bridges partners,” said Reuter.
Global DE
Reuter highlighted the Global Development Education (DE) network, which includes seven DE programs around the world: U.S., Canada, Caribbean, Africa, Europe, Australia and Philippines.
Reuter used the event to announce the 19 most recent individuals recognized as International Credit Union Development Educators (iCUDE).
WYCUP
As CUToday.info reported separately, the World Credit Union Youth Program (WYCUP) held a meeting ahead of the World CU Conference that attracted more than 200 people. During the event it announced its Scholarship winners.
Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN)
As CUToday.info also reported extensively, the GWLN hosted a full-day event prior to the World CU Conference. During the event Ida Rosette Ocampo of the Philippines was named as the 2023 Athena Award.
International Credit Union Day
This year International Credit Union Day falls on Thursday, Oct. 19 and also will mark the 75th anniversary of International CU Day.
“Let’s continue to do global good,” said Reuter.