Worldwide Foundation Calls Global Credit Union Movement to “Tune In” to Belonging, Possibility and Legacy
Mike Reuter's WCUC keynote and Global DE Social celebrate the leaders shaping the future of cooperative finance
22 July 2026
SYDNEY, Australia—Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU) President Mike Reuter challenged the global credit union movement to build a future rooted in belonging, possibility and legacy during his keynote address Tuesday at the 2026 World Credit Union Conference (WCUC).
Later that day, WFCU brought Development Education graduates from around the world together for the Global DE Social, celebrating their shared commitment to cooperative leadership and community impact.
Speaking to conference attendees from around the world, Reuter invited leaders to reflect on why they chose the cooperative finance movement and challenged them to become active owners of its future. Framed around the Foundation's 2026 theme, Tune In to Global Cooperative Finance, the keynote highlighted the transformative power of philanthropy, leadership development and global collaboration in expanding financial inclusion worldwide.
In his speech, Reuter emphasized that cooperative finance is more than a financial model – it is a movement driven by people who choose to invest in one another. He encouraged attendees to strengthen the movement by investing in leadership development, supporting global financial inclusion and embracing philanthropy as a catalyst for lasting impact.
“Belonging. Possibility. Legacy,” Reuter said. “Three words. Three notes in the chord that holds this movement together. And beneath them is a simple logic: movement ownership fuels philanthropy, philanthropy fuels impact, impact deepens ownership.”
Throughout the keynote, Reuter recognized the 2026 Global Women's Leadership Network (GWLN) Scholars, the 2026 World Young Credit Union Professionals (WYCUP) Scholars and the newest International Credit Union Development Educator (ICUDE) designates, celebrating the leaders whose passion and commitment are helping shape the future of cooperative finance.
He also announced plans for a new global community platform that will connect GWLN and WYCUP participants beyond the conference, fostering year-round collaboration, mentorship and leadership development. The platform launch is supported through a generous donation from Sicredi.
“The connections these programs create are as valuable as the curriculum,” Reuter added. “When a young professional in Indonesia can work through challenges with peers in Ecuador, Ukraine, Brazil or the United States, something shifts. New harmonies emerge.”
Reuter concluded with a call for every credit union leader to become an active steward of the movement's future by investing in the people and programs that strengthen cooperative finance around the world.
“Don't leave the Worldwide Foundation as something you know about,” he said. “Leave as an owner of it.”
Tuesday’s focus on leadership continued at the Worldwide Foundation’s Global DE Social, supported by Velera and TruStage, where Development Education graduates from around the world reconnected, exchanged ideas and welcomed the newest 2026 International Credit Union Development Education designees into the international Development Education community.
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