The World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) and the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU) have announced that the theme for the 76th anniversary of International Credit Union (ICU) Day, to be celebrated on Thursday, October 17, 2024, will be “One World Through Cooperative Finance.” Thomas Belekevich, WOCCU Director of Member Services, expressed hope that credit unions will use the 2024 ICU Day theme to demonstrate how the movement brings people closer together through democratic, member-owned financial institutions that prioritize people over profit.
Currently, more than 82,000 credit unions and other cooperative financial institutions are providing financial inclusion and a promising future to over 403 million members worldwide. Since the first celebration in 1948, ICU Day has served as an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the accomplishments of the global movement.
Mike Reuter, President of WFCU, emphasized that International Credit Union Day is about unity and uniting the global credit union movement.
Recently, cooperatives around the world celebrated the International Day of Cooperatives under the theme “Cooperatives Build a Better Future for All,” marking the world’s celebration of the 30th UN International Day of Cooperatives and the 102nd International Cooperative Day, highlighting the sector’s commitment to just and sustainable global development.
Cooperatives have long been recognized for their contributions to social and economic development, with their efforts acknowledged globally every first Saturday of July since the United Nations General Assembly’s official proclamation in 1995.
In a significant move towards sustainability and community development, cooperatives globally are preparing for the International Year of Cooperatives in 2025. This initiative, declared by the United Nations last year, aims to spotlight the crucial role of cooperatives in building a sustainable future for all.
