International Reception Features Speaker on Tsunami Disaster Relief

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 Italy, on Saturday, February 26 at the Embassy of Italy in Washington, DC.

Special guest speaker Dr. P.A. Kiriwandeniya, chairman of the SANASA Development Bank will give an update on the status of credit unions in his country and tsunami disaster relief efforts underway. Through World Council of Credit Unions Worldwide Foundation, the international credit union movement has pledged over $350,000 to help rebuild SANASA.

Other special program speakers include Deputy Chief of Mission, Minister Stefano Stefanini; WOCCU chairman L.R. (Bobby) McVeigh; and Dr. Brian Branch, president and CEO (Interim).

Another highlight of the reception includes a preview of WOCCU's World Credit Union Conference, to be held in Rome, Italy, July 24-27. Reception attendees will also have the opportunity to network with credit union leaders from United States, while supporting international credit union development.

Branch explained, "This is the annual event when a community comes together with their peers: the community of WOCCU supporters who make a difference in leading international credit union development around the world."

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.

Interested individuals who wish to attend and support international credit union development may register for $100.00. Current WOCCU Supporters and a guest are welcome to attend. To check if you or your credit union is a WOCCU Supporter, visit www.woccu.org.

Attendees to WOCCU's International Reception must RSVP by February 21. 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.