This year’s International Credit Union (ICU) Day theme “Credit Unions Build a Better World” celebrates the important economic and social contributions credit unions make to their communities worldwide. Financial co-operatives around the globe will celebrate their heritage and contributions on October 20.

In December 2009, the United Nations proclaimed 2012 as the International Year of Co-operatives (IYC). The IYC aims at raising awareness on the socio-economic impact of co-operatives for promoting the autonomous formation and growth of co-operatives.

The United Nations International Year of Youth (IYY) launched on 12 April 2010, is an opportunity for the co-operative movement to demonstrate how its unique business model can empower young people.