WOCCU anniversary celebrates 40 years of empowering people around the globe with financial freedom

This month marks the 40th anniversary of the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU). On a global level, there is no greater force pushing the cooperative cause than WOCCU, which 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. And, with nearly 50,000 credit unions in 97 countries helping more than 183 million members, it clear WOCCU has had a busy 40 years.

According to the Credit Union Times (11/ 9/10), WOCCU has implemented more than 275 technical assistance programs in 70 countries around the world. Further, it has worked with credit unions to employ innovative rural outreach technologies, create an Islamic finance model for cooperatives in Afghanistan and develop agricultural finance programs that connect small farmers to local markets. Most importantly, WOCCU continues to help credit unions meet the needs of victims of disaster, such as its recent campaign to raise funds for credit unions affected by the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti.

Understanding the important work WOCCU does on behalf of the cooperative movement, Corporate One is a proud supporter, helping provide monetary support and in-kind service hours from our senior management and staff to help spread the cooperative movement to places like Bolivia, China and Columbia through WOCCU’s efforts. We are also proud to have provided leadership in forming the World Council Corporate Advisory Group, comprised of representatives from the corporate network who work together to help WOCCU achieve some of their many initiatives.

The 40th anniversary of WOCCU provides us a moment to celebrate how the cooperative movement is improving the lives of those across the globe—expanding financial freedom for those most in need. It is also a time for us to say thanks to the many people at WOCCU who make it all happen.

To learn more about WOCCU or to get your credit union involved, please visit the WOCCU Web site.