Young Professional Exchange - Costa Rica


Global Perspectives for Future Leaders

A successful future for credit unions and financial cooperative depends upon leaders who understand the strength and potential of the cooperative model. World Council’s Young Professional Exchanges bring together credit union professionals from across the globe during an occupational exchange designed to expose participants to a new way of thinking.

  • Expand your outlook globally and discover how financial cooperatives are supporting communities around the world.
  • Work side-by-side international peers and acquire fresh perspectives invaluable to the next generation of leaders.


Networking and Professional Growth inCosta Rica

This small country in Central America abolished its military decades ago and has channeled those resources to public health and education. The results are clear - one of the highest standards of living in the region, lower rates of extreme poverty and a consistent ranking among the happiest countries in the world.

Join us in Costa Rica where we will explore how credit unions play a key role in the development of one of the most politically and economically stable countries in Latin America.


Day 1

The exchange begins with an exploration of the operating environment for credit unions in Costa Rica. Diverse organizations will share their experiences on a wide range of operations, including governance, innovative products and services, marketing strategies, community outreach efforts, compliance and technology. Participants will observe how democratic member control and the cooperative principles resonate in all aspects of credit union operations.

Day 2

The second day provides a true immersion experience. The visiting delegation will be divided into groups based upon their occupational focus. Each group will then spend the day working side-by-side their counterparts, witnessing first-hand how their roles support credit union operations in Costa Rica. Participants will gain new insights and perspectives as they explore strategies for dealing with similar challenges facing their credit unions back home.

Day 3

The final day of the exchange brings together a wider audience of young professionals during a multi-national youth summit. This round-table dialog will explore how credit unions in each country are working to maintain relevance with a new generation of members, emphasizing the role of technology and recognizing the cooperative principles that distinguish our organizations in the marketplace.

No visit to Costa Rica would be complete without experiencing the natural wonders of the rainforest. The program concludes with a walking tour of La Paz Waterfall Gardens on the slopes of Poas Volcano. Home to the world's largest butterfly observatory, the gardens include several kilometers of trails that wrap around magnificent waterfalls and allow visitors to explore this remarkable rainforest environment.

Registration

US$ 2,200 per person

The registration fee for this program includes 4 nights hotel accommodations at the Park Inn Hotel in San Jose Costa Rica (arrival on July 8 and departure on July 12), airport transfers, local transportation, La Paz Waterfall excursion and some meals.

There is no age limit for participants who wish to join this exchange. We encourage credit union professionals under 35 to attend and welcome others who are just beginning their career with credit unions. Spanish language skills are not necessary to attend this program.

Join us and experience first-hand the difference that financial cooperatives are making in communities around the world.

Register Today

Contact Thomas Belekevich, Program Manager at tbelekevich@woccu.org to join your international colleagues during this Young Professional Exchange in Costa Rica.