“I have attended many conferences and workshops over the past 18 years but none compare to DE Training,” noted Ruben Cisneros, Chief Operations Officer at Border FCU and a graduate of DE Training in April, 2012. “It wasn't until I attended this remarkable program that I truly realized we are part of a movement. It's a movement with social values that I strongly believe in and have applied after attending DE Training. I would challenge anyone with a desire to achieve success in the movement to attend the program as it will open your eyes and will strengthen your desire.”

Of the 88 private programs which received funding in 1982 from U.S. Agency for International Development to fund programs that educate the U.S. public about major development issues related to hunger and economic development, primarily in developing countries, the CUDE program is the only one remaining in operation, the Foundation said.

“For thirty years the DE Program has stayed true to its original intent and has been instrumental in increasing the awareness and support of international credit union development efforts, which has helped to strengthen credit union movements in other countries and the services offered to members everywhere,” noted Lois Kitsch, National Program Director for the National Credit Union Foundation. “The DE program is currently thriving and it's sure to continue for another thirty years given the program's critical lessons in cooperative principles and credit union philosophy.”