GLASGOW, Scotland–A meeting held annually to celebrate credit unions globally kicked off here with one country in particular on its mind.
Ukraine, where a fledgling credit union community was growing and taking hold when Russia invaded earlier this year, leading to countless deaths and widespread destruction was the focus of opening remarks to the World Council’s World CU Conference by its chairman, Rafal Matusiak, who hails from neighboring Poland, and who led a moment of silence in remembrance of those lost in what he called a “horrific” war.
Rafal Matusiak speaking to WOCCU meeting.
The country’s flag also received a standing ovation when it was brought to the stage during the international flag ceremony that traditionally kicks of the World Credit Union Conference each year.
Thirty years after the re-start of credit unions in Poland, Matusiak said there has never been a more important time for CUs to do their work.
Speaking to the more than 1,000 people from 54 countries who have come together in Scotland for this year’s event, Matusiak said that after two years of remote meetings—including cancellation of the annual WOCCU conference—in addition to isolation, health concerns and more, the message from around the globe is “enough.”
And that was before Russia invaded Ukraine.
‘A Wish for All of Us’
“In the end we meet in person and my wish for all of us is that there will be no return to this isolation,” Matusiak said, adding that COVID has not stopped credit unions and instead only added to their importance.
“We have undertaken a number of activities and launched many projects. We have provided support to those in need,” he said. “The (WOCCU) board established a special committee to deal with COVID and ways of responding to the changing reality. However, life decided to provide us with new challenges. On Feb. 24, we learned that Russia had invaded Ukraine. A time of pain and fear has begun for the citizens of Ukraine and for the whole world. This situation shows us on the one hand how fragile peace can be, and on the other makes us realize how great and good this peace is.”
As CUToday.info has reported, the credit unions in Poland have been active in welcoming refugees from that country.
The flag of Ukraine being brought onstage during flag ceremony.
‘Quite the Opposite’
With the horrors of war taking place so close to home, and with the proliferation of digital technology, Matusiak said he has questioned whether there is still a place in the world for organizations like credit unions.
“But it’s quite the opposite,” he said. “No technology can replace the need for community. Facebook and other social networks try to recreate community with other people, but they will never give a bowl of warm soup to the needy.”
Matusiak noted that 30 years ago in Poland the Solidarity movement, which began with the country’s trade unions, helped to usher out communism, and among the organizations to emerge in the country were credit unions (in fact, it was a re-emergence of CUs, which were in place prior to Germany’s invasion in the 1930s).
Bagpipers welcome attendees to Scotland.
Making the ‘Jump’ in Poland
Credit unions in the country are known by the word “SKOK,” which isn’t just a brand, it means “jump” in Polish.
“Undoubtedly, the appearance of SKOKs in 1992 was a leap, a jump to a better financial world,” Matusiak said, explaining credit unions in Poland were unique in that they were for the everyday, working person.
Referring to Poland but indirectly referencing Ukraine and the rest of the world, he added, “It can be said credit unions started to fulfill their dreams of freedom and independence 30 years ago.
Ukraine Update
Mike Reuter, executive director of The Worldwide Foundation, WOCCU’s charitable arm, offered an update on the Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund, which has been raising and distributing money to credit unions affected by the war.
According to Reuter, some $1.7-million has been raised to date from approximately 1,500 donors.
For more information, go here.
