Registration for WOCCU's World Credit Union Conference Opens

Madison, WI—World Council of Credit Unions, Inc. will open registration for its annual World Credit Union Conference and housing on January 16. Participants can register at www.woccu.coop/calgary07.

The 2007 World Credit Union Conference will be held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada—the first time in a North American location since 2000. The conference, scheduled for July 29-August 1, features several renowned keynote speakers including Stephen Lewis, Former United Nations General Special Envoy on HIV/AIDS and one of Canada's most respected commentators on social affairs, international development and human rights. Lewis, who was named one of Time Magazine's most influential people in the world, will give attendees an overview of How to Win the Battle Against Poverty.

The World Credit Union Conference also features 25 educational breakout sessions in five professional tracks. Sessions will focus on leadership and strategy, financial inclusion, financial and operation policy, marketing and business development, and practical solutions. With worldwide leaders inside and outside the credit union industry, attendees will also address common global challenges such as increasing membership growth and attracting the next generation of members.

Attendees will have the opportunity to visit local credit unions in and around Calgary and return home with a renewed appreciation of how credit unions can serve more people worldwide.

Visit www.woccu.coop/calgary07 for more information about the 2007 World Credit Union Conference. Hotel space and conference attendance are limited; early registration is encouraged.

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.