Public Policy & NGOs
Here's a look at documents from public policy and non-governmental organizations
Featured Stories
WJC American Section: Columbia University Deal Must Result in Accountability
NEW YORK, July 18 -- The World Jewish Congress issued the following news release:
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WJC American Section: Columbia University Deal Must Result in Accountability
In response to reports that Columbia University is nearing a deal with the federal government to restore nearly $400 million in frozen funding, J. Philip Rosen, Chair of the World Jewish Congress - American Section, issued the following statement:
"Freezing Columbia's funding was a bold and necessary move. It showed this administration was willing to act where others wouldn't. It put elite universities on notice.
"But the deal
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NEW YORK, July 18 -- The World Jewish Congress issued the following news release:
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WJC American Section: Columbia University Deal Must Result in Accountability
In response to reports that Columbia University is nearing a deal with the federal government to restore nearly $400 million in frozen funding, J. Philip Rosen, Chair of the World Jewish Congress - American Section, issued the following statement:
"Freezing Columbia's funding was a bold and necessary move. It showed this administration was willing to act where others wouldn't. It put elite universities on notice.
"But the dealnow being reported doesn't meet the moment. Columbia would regain access to taxpayer dollars in exchange for internal reviews and limited data disclosures -- while avoiding the very reforms that give an agreement teeth. There's no independent oversight. No consent decree. No changes to the university senate that failed to discipline campus agitators. No requirement that Columbia's next president be selected through a politically balanced process.
"That's not accountability. That's a soft exit.
"Columbia didn't just look the other way. It protected faculty who encouraged antisemitism and allowed Jewish students to be harassed out of classrooms. It canceled classes rather than enforce discipline. If this ends with a few spreadsheets and no structural change, the message is clear: wait long enough, say the right things, and Washington will blink.
"And universities, like Harvard and Cornell, are watching. So are their counterparts abroad -- where Jewish students face threats of extreme violence, and where U.S. action sets the tone. A weak deal here becomes a blueprint.
"The president made the hard call. He used leverage no one else had the courage to use. But follow-through matters. This agreement sets the precedent. We urge the administration to hold the line and ensure the final deal reflects the strength that brought us to this point."
About the World Jewish Congress
The World Jewish Congress (WJC) is the international organization representing Jewish communities in 100 countries to governments, parliaments and international organizations.
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Original text here: https://www.worldjewishcongress.org/en/news/wjc-american-section-columbia-university-deal-must-result-in-accountability
[Category: Religion]
Senate Republicans Abandon All Integrity in Judicial Nomination Vote
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The Alliance for Justice, an organization committed to fortifying the progressive movement through its focus on federal and state courts and building power by providing resources to maximize nonprofits' advocacy capacity, issued the following news release on July 17, 2025:
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Senate Republicans Abandon All Integrity in Judicial Nomination Vote
This morning the Senate Judiciary Committee met to consider the nominations of Emil Bove and several of President Trump's other controversial nominees to the federal courts. As Senate Democrats voiced their objections to Bove,
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WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The Alliance for Justice, an organization committed to fortifying the progressive movement through its focus on federal and state courts and building power by providing resources to maximize nonprofits' advocacy capacity, issued the following news release on July 17, 2025:
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Senate Republicans Abandon All Integrity in Judicial Nomination Vote
This morning the Senate Judiciary Committee met to consider the nominations of Emil Bove and several of President Trump's other controversial nominees to the federal courts. As Senate Democrats voiced their objections to Bove,Chairman Grassley cut off debate and refused to handle Sen. Booker's parliamentary points of order. As Booker insisted that procedure must be followed, Grassley ignored him and proceeded to have the vote over his objections.
Alliance for Justice President Rachel Rossi issued the following statement:
"What we saw this morning in the Senate Judiciary Committee was a troubling display of fealty to Trump. Senate Republicans have abandoned all decency and decorum to advance the president's agenda and his disturbingly unfit and unqualified nominees to serve as lifetime judges. This should be a wakeup call that Senate Democrats need to appreciate that Senate Republicans will not respect a single norm if it prevents them from getting their way. As Sen. Whitehouse said, the committee has officially become a 'partisan rubber stamp,' and it's time to oppose them and slow them down in every conceivable way. Enough is enough; our democracy deserves better."
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Original text here: https://afj.org/article/senate-republicans-abandon-all-integrity-in-judicial-nomination-vote/
[Category: Political]
NFHA Applauds Introduction of Senator Warnock's 'Appraisal Modernization Act'
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The National Fair Housing Alliance issued the following news release:
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NFHA Applauds Introduction of Senator Warnock's "Appraisal Modernization Act"
The National Fair Housing Alliance(R) (NFHA(TM)) applauds Senator Raphael Warnock and his colleagues, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, Angela Alsobrooks, Lisa Blunt Rochester, and Andy Kim for introducing the Appraisal Modernization Act. The bill seeks to address bias in the home valuation process and ensure all homebuyers have a fair chance to build wealth through homeownership. The bill would:
- Require the
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WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The National Fair Housing Alliance issued the following news release:
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NFHA Applauds Introduction of Senator Warnock's "Appraisal Modernization Act"
The National Fair Housing Alliance(R) (NFHA(TM)) applauds Senator Raphael Warnock and his colleagues, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, Angela Alsobrooks, Lisa Blunt Rochester, and Andy Kim for introducing the Appraisal Modernization Act. The bill seeks to address bias in the home valuation process and ensure all homebuyers have a fair chance to build wealth through homeownership. The bill would:
- Require theFederal Housing Finance Agency to publicly disclose property-level appraisal data; and
- Require lenders to standardize the consumer's right to appeal an appraisal (also known as a reconsideration of value or 'ROV').
"An appraisal has the power to determine the value of a consumer's most important financial asset and can hold the key to determining whether the consumer is able to purchase a permanent home rather than rent, access credit on reasonable terms, and build wealth for generations to come," said NFHA's Executive Vice President Nikitra Bailey. "NFHA commends Senator Warnock and his colleagues for a sensible bill designed to help consumers, appraisers, and lenders obtain the data necessary to ensure home valuations are fair and consistent. Importantly, the bill provides consumers the right to appeal an appraisal, which is crucial to maintaining a fair process and will help more consumers achieve the American Dream of homeownership free of discrimination with the ability to build wealth. These provisions are a minimal burden to lenders as most lenders already have processes for data collection and the reconsideration of value. This bill could truly be a win-win for consumers and industry."
"Over the past few years, NFHA's work, academic research, and news stories have consistently highlighted how appraisal bias disproportionately harms Black and Latino consumers and communities while exacerbating racial wealth gaps," Ms. Bailey said. "NFHA led the charge for fair and accurate appraisals, including by releasing a groundbreaking report detailing the barriers to consistent appraisals for all. Removing bias from the home valuation process strengthens individuals, families, communities, and the economy."
The National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) is the country's only national civil rights organization dedicated solely to eliminating all forms of housing and lending discrimination and ensuring equal opportunities for all people. As the trade association for 200 fair housing and justice-centered organizations throughout the U.S. and its territories, NFHA works to dismantle longstanding barriers to equity and build diverse, inclusive, well-resourced communities.
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Original text here: https://nationalfairhousing.org/nfha-applauds-introduction-of-senator-warnocks-appraisal-modernization-act/
[Category: Real Estate]
ISTH Industry Roundtable Drives Strategic Progress at ISTH 2025 Congress
CARRBORO, North Carolina, July 18 -- The International Society for Thrombosis and Haemostasis issued the following news:
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ISTH Industry Roundtable drives strategic progress at ISTH 2025 Congress
The ISTH launched the Industry Roundtable in 2022 to engage industry partners in an ongoing, strategic dialogue to impact patient outcomes in the field of thrombosis and hemostasis. Now in its third year, the Industry Roundtable has become a vital platform for open, solutions-focused dialogue between the ISTH and industry partners.
At the ISTH 2025 Congress in Washington, D.C., the ISTH hosted
... Show Full Article
CARRBORO, North Carolina, July 18 -- The International Society for Thrombosis and Haemostasis issued the following news:
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ISTH Industry Roundtable drives strategic progress at ISTH 2025 Congress
The ISTH launched the Industry Roundtable in 2022 to engage industry partners in an ongoing, strategic dialogue to impact patient outcomes in the field of thrombosis and hemostasis. Now in its third year, the Industry Roundtable has become a vital platform for open, solutions-focused dialogue between the ISTH and industry partners.
At the ISTH 2025 Congress in Washington, D.C., the ISTH hostedan Industry Roundtable meeting with the largest attendance of participants to date, signaling a growing alignment around shared goals and priorities that shape the future of thrombosis and hemostasis.
Participants at this year's meeting engaged in strategic discussions focused on advancing shared goals across the thrombosis and hemostasis landscape. Key topics included expanding support for early career professionals, the need for a unified regulatory strategy (particularly around gene therapy) and the importance of monitoring formalized partnerships to avoid duplication of efforts.
Education remained a central theme, with calls for further integration across ISTH initiatives. Members of the ISTH Industry Roundtable also acknowledged global scientific inequities and explored potential solutions to bridge these gaps.
Thank you to the following companies for participating in the ISTH Industry Roundtable:
Partners:
* Biomarin
* BMS/Pfizer Alliance
* CSL Behring
* Novartis
* Novo Nordisk
* Regeneron
* Roche
* Star Therapeutics
* Sobi
* Takeda
Collaborators:
* Bayer
* Sanofi
* Werfen
Interested in learning more or participating in the ISTH Industry Roundtable? Learn more at www.isth.org/page/roundtable.
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Original text here: https://www.isth.org/news/706141/ISTH-Industry-Roundtable-drives-strategic-progress-at-ISTH-2025-Congress.htm
[Category: Medical]
Consequences of 'Defunding' Planned Parenthood and What Comes Next
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The Planned Parenthood Federation of America issued the following news release:
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Consequences of "Defunding" Planned Parenthood and What Comes Next
Planned Parenthood Federation of America and two local Planned Parenthood 501(c)(3) members are currently in court fighting against the Trump Administration and Congress' unlawful attempt to "defund" Planned Parenthood health centers through the reconciliation law and strip more than a million people of access to their preferred health care provider. While the provision is currently blocked under a temporary restraining
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WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The Planned Parenthood Federation of America issued the following news release:
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Consequences of "Defunding" Planned Parenthood and What Comes Next
Planned Parenthood Federation of America and two local Planned Parenthood 501(c)(3) members are currently in court fighting against the Trump Administration and Congress' unlawful attempt to "defund" Planned Parenthood health centers through the reconciliation law and strip more than a million people of access to their preferred health care provider. While the provision is currently blocked under a temporary restrainingorder, the consequences would be devastating for patients and communities nationwide if the law is allowed to go back into effect.
This is a targeted attack because, among other things, Planned Parenthood advocates for sexual and reproductive rights and Planned Parenthood health centers provide abortion care where it is legal. It's also flatly unconstitutional.
While we continue to fight this attack on Planned Parenthood health centers and patients, we're also seeing some false assertions and inaccurate assumptions about what the "defund" really is and what it means for Planned Parenthood, abortion access, and affordable health care.
Keep reading for answers to some frequently asked questions.
1) Can't Planned Parenthood health centers simply choose between providing abortions and providing other health care services to maintain their funding through Medicaid?
No. There is not now, and has never been, a plan to stop providing abortion care in the hopes of preserving federal funding. Providing abortion care everywhere it's still legal is not up for negotiation. Planned Parenthood health centers will continue to proudly provide the full range of reproductive health care - including abortion - no matter what.
Planned Parenthood health centers provide abortion care where legal for a very simple reason: People need abortion care. People who use Medicaid also need access to high-quality preventive sexual and reproductive health care like birth control, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, and more. And we know that opponents of sexual and reproductive health care are coming for that too. Their goal is to shut down Planned Parenthood at all costs by cutting off funding, no matter what services health centers provide.
2) Won't other health centers be able to fill the gap if Medicaid patients could no longer go to Planned Parenthood health centers for care like birth control, cancer screenings, and more?
No. As Guttmacher Institute research explains, Planned Parenthood cannot be easily replaced by other providers:
"...to suggest they could easily step up to replace Planned Parenthood is a politically expedient argument that willfully ignores the facts on the ground. These attacks put millions of US women at very real risk of being unable to obtain the basic, high-quality reproductive health care services they need and deserve."
And 64% of Planned Parenthood health centers are in either rural areas, medically underserved areas, or areas with health professional shortages, highlighting that patients will have limited options if "defunding" Planned Parenthood is allowed to stand.
3) Will "defunding" Planned Parenthood actually hurt communities and worsen public health outcomes?
Yes. In states and local areas where patient access to Planned Parenthood health centers was restricted by hostile governments, there were clearly worse health outcomes. Don't take our word for it; here are some examples:
* Texas
- Texas excluded Planned Parenthood health centers and other qualified family planning providers from the Women's Health Program in 2013. By doing so, Texas lost federal funding for the program, and within two years, nearly 45,000 fewer women got care through the program, and nearly 30,000 fewer patients received birth control, cancer screenings, and other preventive care. Within five years, 41% fewer women received contraceptive care through the program
* Iowa
- After Iowa slashed Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood health centers, there was an 86% decline in the provision of services after the state-run program went into effect. This also coincided with a considerable increase in sexually transmitted infections across the state. Iowa's Family Planning Program served a total of 1,502 Iowans in 2018, without Planned Parenthood, down from 10,817 Iowans in 2016 with Planned Parenthood.
* Indiana
- The loss of funding forced the Planned Parenthood health center in Scott County, Indiana, to close its doors in 2013. This location was the only provider in the community that provided HIV testing and education. By 2015, Scott County faced an unprecedented HIV outbreak, which former governor and vice president, Mike Pence, deemed a public health emergency.
* Kansas
- After the Kansas legislature blocked people from getting care at Planned Parenthood health centers, the number of people accessing birth control, cancer screenings, STI tests, annual pelvic exams, and other care through the Title X program fell by more than 14,000.
* Tennessee
- Following Tennessee's choice in 2011 to grant Title X funds to a faith-based entity instead of Planned Parenthood, family planning services provided to women dropped by an astounding 93% in Shelby County the next year.
* Wisconsin
- Excluding family planning providers from critical women's health programs forced the closure of five family planning health centers in rural Wisconsin, leaving 3,100 patients without reproductive health care. These were areas that already had large Medicaid enrollment and a lack of health care providers.
There's no doubt that "defunding" Planned Parenthood will wreak havoc on our already fragile health care system, threatening over a million people's access to care. But that's the point: Abortion opponents want to shut down health centers, control people's medical decisions, and ban abortion nationwide.
If you plan to cover the impact of the Trump administration and its backers in Congress "defunding" Planned Parenthood or have additional questions, please reach out to media.office@ppfa.org.
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Original text here: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/newsroom/press-releases/the-consequences-of-defunding-planned-parenthood-and-what-comes-next
[Category: Sociological]
Civil Society Leaders Issue "New Call to Halt and Reverse the Arms Race"
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The Arms Control Association issued the following news release:
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Civil Society Leaders Issue "New Call to Halt and Reverse the Arms Race"
Over the decades, civil society organizations around the globe have successfully pushed governments to take steps to reduce the nuclear danger, agree to cut the number of nuclear weapons, halt and then ban nuclear explosive testing, curb the spread of nuclear weapons, and to conclude the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
"But today, eighty years since the world's first nuclear test detonation in New Mexico, nuclear
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The Arms Control Association issued the following news release:
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Civil Society Leaders Issue "New Call to Halt and Reverse the Arms Race"
Over the decades, civil society organizations around the globe have successfully pushed governments to take steps to reduce the nuclear danger, agree to cut the number of nuclear weapons, halt and then ban nuclear explosive testing, curb the spread of nuclear weapons, and to conclude the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
"But today, eighty years since the world's first nuclear test detonation in New Mexico, nuclearrisks are growing once again," warned Daryl G. Kimball of the Arms Control Association.
"Human civilization remains precariously tethered to the existence of thousands of nuclear weapons and the threat they might be used again. Progress on nuclear disarmament is stalled and an unconstrained global nuclear arms race is on the horizon," he said.
The last remaining bilateral U.S.-Russian nuclear arms reduction agreement, New START, will expire on Feb. 6, 2026. That is just 204 days away.
At that point the United States and Russia could possibly increase the size of their deployed long-range weapons for the first time in more than 35 years.
"Despite President Trump's recent talk about the soaring costs of nuclear weapons, their devastating effects, and his desire for "denuclearization" talks with Russia and China, nuclear spending is skyrocketing and there are no active bilateral arms reduction talks underway. This must change. And soon," charged Daryl G. Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association. "The mounting danger demands more than empty words, it demands action."
In response, the leaders of more than two dozen regional, national, and international civil society organizations, former government officials and advisors, leading academicians and experts, and concerned cultural figures have joined together to launch a short, focused appeal designed to provide a common rallying call for urgent action to halt and reverse the new arms race and step back from the brink of nuclear war.
This "New Call to Halt and Reverse the Nuclear Arms Race" encourages organized opposition in the United States and other countries to the deployment of more nuclear weapons by any state, to the use or threat of use of these weapons, and opposition to the possible renewal of nuclear explosive testing, as key step toward their eventual elimination. It urges support for nuclear disarmament diplomacy.
The "Call" is posted on a dedicated web site, ReverseTheArmsRace.org, that lists endorsers and is designed to serve as a connection point for citizen engagement and action.
"We need all countries to step up. But the two largest nuclear-weapon states must lead the way. Absent meaningful diplomacy that produces some kind of new U.S.-Russian nuclear restraints, the pace of the nuclear arms race will very likely accelerate, and the costs and dangers will grow even further," he said.
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Original text here: https://www.armscontrol.org/pressroom/2025-07/civil-society-leaders-issue-new-call-halt-and-reverse-arms-race
[Category: Political]
2025 World Credit Union Conference Closes as Largest Ever Held in Europe
MADISON, Wisconsin, July 18 -- The World Council of Credit Unions issued the following news release on July 17, 2025:
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2025 World Credit Union Conference Closes as Largest Ever Held in Europe
WOCCU also announces Australia as site of WCUC 2026 during final general session
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STOCKHOLM, Sweden--The 20th anniversary of the premier global credit union event closed Wednesday with a new attendance record for a World Credit Union Conference held in Europe.
This year's attendance of more than 2,000 participants tops the previous high of 1,813 set in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 2016.
The record-setting
... Show Full Article
MADISON, Wisconsin, July 18 -- The World Council of Credit Unions issued the following news release on July 17, 2025:
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2025 World Credit Union Conference Closes as Largest Ever Held in Europe
WOCCU also announces Australia as site of WCUC 2026 during final general session
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STOCKHOLM, Sweden--The 20th anniversary of the premier global credit union event closed Wednesday with a new attendance record for a World Credit Union Conference held in Europe.
This year's attendance of more than 2,000 participants tops the previous high of 1,813 set in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 2016.
The record-settingcrowd was treated to a vibrant final keynote address from Eric Termuende on "Blueprint to the Future: Leading in a New World of Work".
Termuende said no matter who he talks to, those who like their jobs always give the same reason for it: the people with whom they work.
"So, why is it that thing that we love so much about the work we do is the thing that we like to avoid the most? I think the key to the future of work is the development of the relationships with the team you've already got. I think your best recruitment strategy is going to be a good retention strategy," said Termuende.
The presentation also laid out practical strategies attendees could take home and use to create and excel in the workplaces of tomorrow.
Young professionals share their vision of the future
Wednesday morning's general session also featured a panel of young credit union leaders sharing their insights on how to grow their ranks in the sector.
The young professionals said much of the problem of aging leadership in credit unions can be solved by those very leaders taking a more active role in mentoring the next generation.
Kemar Cumberbatch, President of the Barbados Co-operative & Credit Union League Ltd. Board of Directors, said his own mentors helped him grow and advance his career at a rapid pace.
"They gave me the space to grow; praised me when I did something good. If I failed or fell short, they supported me. They did not play politics, which a lot of people do when it comes to age, so there was no embarrassment. They were there to give you that room to fall, helping you to grow in a particular role," said Cumberbatch.
But equally as important is for young credit union employees to be ready to grow and become leaders, according to Kefilwe Masalila, CEO of the Botswana Savings and Credit Cooperative Association (BOSCCA) Ltd.
"Don't be afraid to step up. Let your age not be a limitation. Unless you believe it is a limitation yourself, nothing is there to limit you," said Masalila.
Should RegTech focus on technology or principles?
WOCCU Vice President of International Advocacy Paul Andrews on Wednesday hosted the final two of seven breakout sessions focused on advocacy and regulatory issues at WCUC 2025.
One of them focused on the intersection of regulation and technology in the financial services sector, with much of the conversation revolving around whether regulations should be applied to specific technological tools or focus more on overall principles.
David Heine, CEO of Regional Australia Bank, said technology is simply changing too fast to focus regulations on specific tools.
"You can't nail it down and regulate a specific version (of a tool). I mean, how many different versions of AI do we all have on our phones? You can't treat it from that point of view," said Heine. "There are some weaknesses in a principles-based approach, of course. It becomes gray for practitioners to understand, necessarily, what the outcome is and what you're trying to drive toward, but we're left with no choice, in my view."
But even on a principles level, the panel agreed regulators must take a wholistic approach to technology.
"In policy terms, there's a triangle. And, if you're a policymaker, you often have various objectives you want to pursue. You may want to pursue competitiveness and effectiveness, and performance-- and that's a very valid objective. But you may also want to pursue privacy protection--very important," said Peter Kerstens, Technology Adviser for the European Commission. "But if you go to purse one of these objectives to the extreme, the two other objectives are going to suffer. And that's why policymakers--in my view--have to try to place themselves somewhere in the middle of the triangle."
WOCCU International Advocacy also hosted a Wednesday panel discussion on the ways political influence and credit union growth go hand in hand.
Creating impact at scale
How can credit unions use the power of financial services to create impact for the people and communities we serve?
That was the question executives from two of the leading impact-focused credit unions, Sicredi (Brazil) and Vancity (Canada), examined by outlining how they embed impact more deeply into their service model.
"We're running the risk of seeing increases in poverty again in many parts of the world that haven't seen that in a long time. I really do believe credit unions and cooperatives are going to be a big part of the answer to ensure a more resilient future for everyone," said Wellington Holbrook, President and CEO of Vancity.
The session offered practical tools and examples to inspire others to deepen their commitment to cooperative values and responsible finance.
Closing celebration caps WCUC 2025
The 2025 World Credit Union Conference concluded Wednesday night with a closing party at the Stockholm Waterfront Congress Center.
Along with the record number of attendees for a European-based conference, WCUC 2025 drew participants from 55 countries and hosted more than 30 keynote and breakout sessions featuring over 50 speakers.
To get all the news from the 2025 World Credit Union Conference, visit the WOCCU Newsroom or the WCUC 2025 Blog.
Get ready for WCUC 2026
WOCCU is excited to announce the 2026 World Credit Union Conference will be held in Sydney, Australia, July 19-22.
WOCCU will co-host WCUC 2026 with the Customer Owned Banking Association (COBA), our direct member organization in Australia. It will be the first World Credit Union Conference held in Australia since 2014 (Gold Coast) and the first-ever held in Sydney.
Registration for the 2026 World Credit Union Conference will open later this year. For more information, visit wcuc.org/sydney.
World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) is the apex association for credit unions and other global financial cooperatives. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.
World Council has implemented 300+ technical assistance programs in 90 countries. Worldwide, 74,634 credit unions in 104 countries serve 411 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.
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Original text here: https://www.woccu.org/newsroom/releases/2025_World_Credit_Union_Conference_Closes_as_Largest_Ever_Held_in_Europe
[Category: Financial Services]