International Reception Features Canadian Flair

WASHINGTON, D.C. - As a prelude to CUNA's Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC), World Council of Credit Unions, Inc. (WOCCU), will host its Annual International Reception in conjunction with CUNA's World Leadership Development Committee and the Embassy of Canada, on Saturday, February 22 at the Embassy of Canada in Washington, DC.

Ronald T. McMorran, Counsellor, Embassy of Canada will give the welcoming remarks. Other special program speakers will include WOCCU Board chairman, L.R. (Bobby) McVeigh; Canadian Central of Canada Board chairman, Jack Smit; and Melvin Edwards, 2nd Vice Chairman, WOCCU Board, representing the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions (CCCU).

Highlights of the reception include a preview of WOCCU's 2003 International Credit Union Leadership Institute, to be held in the Bahamas, August 1-4. Reception attendees will also have the opportunity to network with credit union leaders from Canada, the Caribbean and the United States, while supporting international credit union development.

World Council vice president and COO, Brian Branch explained, "This event is another excellent opportunity for U.S. credit union leaders to support international credit union development, while enjoying this event and networking with peers from across the country."

Also during the International Reception, WOCCU Supporters will receive special recognition for their continued dedication to the improvement of credit union movements around the world. The reception will take place from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., with program speakers beginning at 6:30 p.m. Due to heightened security measures, attendees to WOCCU's International Reception attendees must RSVP by February 18. Attendees should also be prepared to show a photo identification at the embassy and go thru security screening.

El Consejo Mundial de Cooperativas de Ahorro y Crédito es la asociación gremial y agencia de desarrollo para el sistema internacional de cooperativas de ahorro y crédito. El Consejo Mundial promueve el crecimiento sustentable de las cooperativas de ahorro y crédito y otras cooperativas financieras en todo el mundo a fin de facultar a las personas para que mejoren su calidad de vida a través del acceso a servicios financieros asequibles y de alta calidad. El Consejo Mundial realiza esfuerzos de defensa activa en representación del sistema global de las cooperativas de ahorro y crédito ante organizaciones internacionales y trabaja con gobiernos nacionales para mejorar la legislación y la regulación. Sus programas de asistencia técnica introducen nuevas herramientas y tecnologías para fortalecer el desempeño financiero de las cooperativas de ahorro y crédito y profundizar su alcance comunitario.

El Consejo Mundial ha implementado 290 programas de asistencia técnica en 71 países. A nivel mundial, 51,000 cooperativas de ahorro y crédito en 100 países atienden a 196 millones de personas. Obtenga más información sobre el impacto global del Consejo Mundial en www.woccu.org.