July 20, Kathmandu. The chair of the Nepal Federation of Savings and Credit Cooperative Unions Ltd (NEFSCUN), the singular national federation of the financial cooperatives of Nepal, Chandra Prasad Dhakal has expressed his vehement interest in serving on the board of the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU).

And the desire to be the sole representative voice of the Nepali credit union movement in the global platform, and that also a maiden attempt,  has taken a shape after the nomination was scrutinized and given a nod to be a Global Board candidate for the election.

The Annual General Meeting of the WOCCU is slated to be held on 22 July, in Boston, America during the World Credit Union Conference that kick starts tomorrow.

The AGM will elect 4 WOCCU Board members from 5 candidates who have thrown their hats into the ring. And Dhakal is expected to spend pressing the flesh once he reaches Boston. Dhakal who is on the way to Boston, is being accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of the NEFSCUN Dr. Shivajee Sapkota.

The Nepal Federation of Savings and Credit Cooperative Uions Ltd. (NEFSCUN) represents nearly 10 thousand credit unions affiliates and their approximately 4 million individual members in Nepal.

However, Dhakal in more than convinced  that he  represents the collective voice of the Asain credit union movement that is thriving and has huge potential.

An ace cooperator, Dhakal brings nearly three decades of leadership experience in the industry and is up for the grabs to serve in the better interest of 48.8 milllion individual members from 33129 plus financial cooperatives that collectively mobilize 466 billion dollar asset with the tireless work of 7 hundred thousand human resource in the Asian region.

'It is also an attempt to bring attention to the members of the WOCCU to consider increasing the representation of the Asian and most importantly, the South Asian Credit Union voice in its board,' Dhakal opines.  

He proclaims that he represents the collective voice of the South Asian credit union movement which is growing by leaps and bounds.

He furhter says, 'My candidacy itself is a testament to the fact that Nepali credit union fraternity has been whole heartedly accepted, acknowlddged and appreciated by the WOCCU.'

He says, 'I know it's a long shot since I haven't had the opportunity to of serving the WOCCU board as my fellow friends who are contesting the election have, but when it comes to contribution and competence in the industry in homeland, we all are in the same page.'

Dhakal's career trajectory has seen highs and lows but has remained adament in fulfilling his duty as a volunteer credit union leader. Dhakal, a tall leader has served the cooperative movement for nearly 3 decades under varous leadership capacitites. He keeps a close eye on global credit union movement.

He says he has vision to help strengthen the global credit union movement. He says he will help redefine the global commercial narrative to promote the distinct cooperative business purpose, deliver a global cooperative framework for establishing business development service desks to promote entrepreneurship, help promote the adoption of highest standards in credit union legislation, develop and promote shared policy platforms for growth in credit unions, engage more credit unions and mutual businesses in the in the WOCCU as its member affiliates, increase engagement with youth and economically underpriviledge communities, among others. And that's why he seeks a seat at the WOCCU Board.

Irrespective of the outcome at the AGM, he vowed to continue working relentlessly to better serving the underserved and unbanked communities in his capacity.

NEFSCUN has remained a direct member of the WOCCU since 2018 and has made its presence felt literally by participating in the conference.

Meanwhile, the Boston Conference, as part of the annual event, will provide a wealth of networking opportunities as well as access to a wide collection of knowledge and experience from all corners of the globe.

The conference that concludes on 24 July,is the largest global credit union movement featuring 25 plus session and workshops with more that 1,000 attendees from more than 60 countries.