"How Credit Unions Strengthen Democracy" Focus of New WOCCU Publication Showcasing the Credit Union Difference

Madison, WI – The World Council of Credit Unions, Inc. (WOCCU) has released the sixth in its Technical Guide series, entitled "A Technical Guide to Increasing Citizen Participation: How Credit Unions Strengthen Democracy." The guide explores how credit unions foster democratic participation, inspire economic growth and democratic development, promote effective governance and accountability, advocate, build stable local institutions in fragile environments, engage marginalized groups, and promote sustainable democracy.

The 16-page publication is now available in PDF format on the WOCCU website at http://www.woccu.org/functions/view_document.php?id=democracy_techguide.

"Credit unions," reads the guide, "embody grassroots democracy:

"Empowering members with a sense that their lives can be improved as a result of combining self-reliance together with collective action at the community level.

"Providing many members with their first direct experience with democratic decisionmaking and election processes.

"Presenting a local example of institutional responsiveness, accountability and transparency which can be used as a model for good governance on a broader scale.

"Investing in human capital by training directors, managers, staff and members to help them develop the skills required to be effective participants in institutional decisionmaking.

"Building trust among members of diverse income levels, political perspectives, religions and ethnic backgrounds to achieve social cohesion."

World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) is the global trade association and development agency for credit unions. WOCCU 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. WOCCU advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.

WOCCU has implemented more than 275 technical assistance programs in 71 countries. Worldwide, 53,000 credit unions in 100 countries serve 188 million people. Learn more about WOCCU's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.