ACCU's Transformative Development Education Course

The Australian Mutuals Foundation is proud to be the Australian credit union development partner of the Asian Confederation of Credit Unions (ACCU). Founded in 1971, the ACCU works hand-in-hand with national credit union associations to stimulate growth and offer opportunities for development in the sector, ultimately fostering stronger communities and improving financial literacy across Southeast Asia.

Recently, the ACCU hosted its 38th Development Education (DE) course in Bangkok, Thailand. This educational workshop attracted participants from diverse backgrounds, giving them the opportunity to boost their leadership skills and gain insights into the global impact of the credit union movement. The Australian Mutuals Foundation sponsored three participants from Australian Mutual Bank, Unity Bank, and the Customer Owned Banking Association (COBA). For these individuals, it was an invaluable chance to broaden their understanding of global credit union systems and connect with peers from countries all over Australasia.

Attendees of the 38th ACCU DE Course with their certificates

About the DE course

The DE course provides participants with an immersive experience centred on personal growth and community engagement. The primary goal is to equip individuals with practical skills in leadership, communication, and presentation. Stressing the core values of credit unions, the course empowers participants to drive positive change. Through hands-on workshops and collaborative activities, participants learn strategies to effectively address issues like increasing financial literacy. Every attendee at the course experiences something unique and participants often leave with insights that inspire them to take action in their own communities. The exchange of diverse perspectives generates meaningful dialogues, enriching their overall experience.

Networking with peers from different countries helps foster a sense of community and solidarity among credit union professionals. These new relationships allow for the sharing of resources, successful strategies, and solutions to common challenges faced by different credit unions. This exchange of ideas enriches the credit union movement and emphasises the importance of teamwork in achieving collective goals.

ACCU and the Australian Mutuals Foundation remain committed to ongoing education and collaboration within the credit union sector. Programs like the DE course are just one part of a broader mission to empower organisations and individuals to better serve their communities, with participants leaving the course inspired and equipped with skills that they can implement within their own communities.

The attendees share their experiences

As we celebrate the successes of the 38th DE course, the future of cooperative finance appears bright, with dedicated individuals ready to tackle tomorrow's challenges. Read the summaries of their own experiences below:

Peter Nguyen - Australian Mutual Bank

Attending the ACCU Development Education (DE) Course was eye-opening and nothing short of transformative. Over six immersive days, I had the opportunity to dive deep into the core philosophy of credit unions, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and connect with passionate professionals from diverse regions. It was an experience that not only broadened my understanding but also reaffirmed my commitment to the Mutual Sector.

The course was well structured—each session built upon the last, ensuring that we weren’t just absorbing knowledge but actively applying it in real time. The incredible mentors—Ranjith Hettiarachchi, Dindo Meroy, Elenita San Roque, Gaylene Quitadamo, Kamon Kiattisirikumpon, and Paul Dawson—played a pivotal role in this journey. They weren’t just instructors; they were catalysts for growth. They challenged us to think critically, step out of our comfort zones, and put our learning to the test through presentations, discussions, and real-world case studies and statistics. This continuous cycle of learning and application kept me engaged and motivated throughout the experience.

But this course wasn’t just about professional development—it was deeply personal. It encouraged self-reflection, a renewed sense of purpose, and the ability to place trust in others. It reinforced the profound impact that the credit union movement has on individuals and communities, reminding me that true leadership isn’t just about skills or expertise—it’s about knowing who you are, what you stand for, and how you choose to make a difference.

One of my biggest takeaways was a renewed appreciation for why I love working in the Mutual Sector. Creating meaningful change isn’t always easy, but this course reinforced that with perseverance and collaboration, we can overcome challenges as long as we stay committed. It also taught me the importance of staying true to myself, trusting the process, and believing in the people around me.

For anyone considering the DE Course, I can’t recommend it enough. It’s an opportunity to grow both professionally and personally while contributing to something much larger than yourself. If you’re ready to be challenged, inspired, and empowered, this course is for you.

Nikki Rudge - COBA

I firstly want to send my thanks to the Australian Mutual Foundation and the Customer Owned Banking Association for their generosity in supporting my attendance at the 38th ACCU Development Education Course (DE).

From Feb 23 – 28 2025, I spent six life affirming days in Bangkok, with an incredible group of participants from Australia, Bangladesh, PNG, Philippines, and Singapore.

Led by our dedicated mentors, Dindo Meroy, Paul Dawson, Elenita San Roque, Ranjith Hettiarachchi, Gaylene Quitadamo, and Kamon Kiattisirikumpon, our group was quickly immersed in the history and purpose of the cooperative movement and the importance of credit unions in Asia.

Each day built on the learnings of the day before and was accented with a visit to the St Peter Credit Union and the Federation of Savings and Credit Cooperatives of Thailand, cementing the knowledge gained and seeing the impacts of the work of the Asian Confederation of Credit Unions (ACCU). 

The DE is a course which not only provides a platform for the improvement of cooperatives and the credit union movement, but it is also a course which focuses on the individual; encouraging participants to step out of their comfort zone, trust their peers and connect with their values. As a long-term facilitator, I was excited to refresh my skills and welcomed the opportunity to improve my approach to delivering quality, meaningful presentations. Working with my fellow DE participants was extremely rewarding and enlightening; their passion and commitment to improving the lives of customers and communities reminded me why I joined the mutual sector.

What resonated with me most was the work being done to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals; we can all influence and benefit from focusing on these important global targets. I am committed to working with the other DEs in Australia to advance these goals.

The insights I have gained from the DE are too numerous to put into words. Key takeaways for me were understanding that small but consistent actions make significant impacts over time, and you cannot genuinely connect with others if you do not connect with yourself.

Natalie Worthington - Unity Bank

I feel extremely fortunate to have been selected to attend the 38th Asian Credit Union Development Education program in Bangkok. The course was held over six full days and brought together a group of 27 delegates from Australia, Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and Singapore. This experience proved to be both professionally and personally transformative. Throughout the course, I had the opportunity to develop my presentation skills while gaining a deeper understanding of the history of the global credit union movement and our shared core purpose.

The program strongly reinforced the unique advantages of cooperative banking. I was reminded that we should still be following Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen's teachings that emphasized the importance of helping others help themselves. This foundational principle continues to set credit unions apart from traditional bank and resonates deeply with our mission to serve members rather than maximise profits.

During our discussions and collaborative exercises, I gained a broader perspective of the challenges credit unions are facing today, especially in our region. These include adapting to rapidly evolving digital technologies, the need for sustainable practices especially in response to climate change, and counter productiveness of credit unions completing with each other instead of integrating and helping each other succeed. Understanding these challenges has provided me with valuable insights that I can apply to our local context.

Another important takeaway from the program was the critical role financial literacy plays in empowering individuals and communities. When members understand how to manage their finances effectively, they can make better decisions that improve their economic well-being. This reinforces our responsibility as a credit union to not only provide financial services but also to educate and empower our members with the knowledge they need to succeed. With 36% of Australians below the global financial literacy rate we still have work to do domestically.

The course also encouraged me to reflect on my own personal values and purpose. Through meaningful interactions with fellow delegates from diverse backgrounds, I gained new perspectives that have strengthened my commitment to the credit union movement. I return with renewed enthusiasm and ideas to contribute more effectively to my organisation's mission and to better serve our members and community.

I would like express by sincere thanks to the Australian Mutuals Foundation and Unity Bank for supporting me in attending this course.