Students at Can Tho University in Vietnam. © WUSC/Lorenzo Moscia
Students at Can Tho University in Vietnam. © WUSC/Lorenzo Moscia

Mission and Values

Our vision is a better world for all young people. It is a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world in which all young people, especially women and refugees, are empowered to secure a good quality of life for themselves, their families, and their communities.

We work with a diverse network of students, volunteers, institutions, governments, and businesses to improve education, economic, and empowerment opportunities for young people.

  • Inclusivity

    Inclusivity

    We take a people-centered approach to development. We respect the contributions and diversity of volunteers, staff, partners, and development agents. We prioritize our support to some of the most marginalized.

  • Leadership

    Leadership

    We inform, engage, convene, and mobilize diverse development actors. We facilitate collaboration for sustainable development. We strive to be a strong voice for youth on the global stage.

  • Sustainability

    Sustainability

    We use an evidence-based approach in our work. We develop initiatives that produce measurable and sustainable results. We promote local ownership among development agents to ensure long-term impact.

  • Facilitation

    Facilitation

    We acknowledge that our work is only one step in the development process. We improve opportunities for people and partners who become agents for change. They use the knowledge and skills they gain to support further local and global development.

  • Integrity

    Integrity

    We build accountability measures into all our initiatives and offer transparent reporting.

Our History

WUSC (World University Service of Canada) was founded in the 1920s as part of a global network that provided support to displaced students in post-war Europe. Since then, we have evolved into a Canadian global development organization working in over a dozen countries around the world that supports education, economic opportunities, and empowerment for youth, their families, and their communities.

Our Leadership

Board of Directors

Chris Whitaker

Chris Whitaker

Chair

Dr. Nicole Lacasse

Dr. Nicole Lacasse

Vice-Chair

Dr. J. Colin Dodds

Dr. J. Colin Dodds

Treasurer

Annette Trimbee

Dr. Annette Trimbee

Member-at-large

Ashley Pinsent-Tobin

Ashley Pinsent-Tobin

Regional Member, Atlantic

Diana Torres Palacios

Diana Torres Palacios

Regional Member, Québec

Ahmad Alkosani

Ahmad Alkosani

Regional Member, Ontario

Ameen Alnaser

Ameen Alnaser

Regional Member, Manitoba / Saskatchewan / Nunavut

William Oching

William Oching

Regional Member, Alberta / British Columbia / Yukon / Northwest Territories

Dr. David Barnard

Dr. David Barnard

Member-at-Large

Adel El Zaïm

Dr. Adel El Zaïm

Member-at-Large

Mohamed Lachemi

Dr. Mohamed Lachemi

Member-at-Large

Sonia Laszlo

Prof. Sonia Laszlo

Member-at-Large

Christine Hogan

Christine Hogan

Member-at-Large

Joy Johnson

Joy Johnson

Member-at-Large

Amelie Fabian

Amelie Fabian

Member-at-Large

Global Leadership Team

Appiah Boake

Appiah Boake

Director, INVEST Project
Ariane Ryan

Ariane Ryan

Interim Senior Manager, Program Development
Doug Graham

Doug Graham

Director, Caribbean
Emelia Ayipio Asamoah

Emelia Ayipio Asamoah

Country Director, Ghana
Erin Bateman

Erin Bateman

Director, Volunteer Cooperation Program
Eve Dufresne

Eve Dufresne

Senior Manager, International Services
Godfrey Mphande

Godfrey Mphande

Country Director, Malawi
Initial H

Hadjia Azara Kindo

Director, Finance
Ibrahim Maiga

Ibrahim Maiga

Country Director, Mali
James Delaney

James Delaney

Deputy Director, Technical Services
Janice Bothello

Janice Bothello

Country Director, Kenya & Director, DREEM Project
Ken Fraser

Ken Fraser

Deputy Director, IT & Digital Transformation
Mumtaz Aroos Faleel

Mumtaz Aroos Faleel

Country Director, Sri Lanka
Nancy Momany

Nancy Momany

Country Director, Jordan
Rachelle Anctil

Rachelle Anctil

Director, Strategic Initiatives
Sam Landon

Sam Landon

Director, Programs
Osamah Mohammed Kadhim

Osamah Mohammed Kadhim

Country Director, Iraq
Stefan Hollmann

Stefan Hollmann

Chief Financial Officer
Steve Mason

Steve Mason

Chief Executive Officer
Stephanie Leclair

Stephanie Leclair

Director, Communications & Digital Transformation
Tania Jordan

Tania Jordan

Deputy Director, Program Management and Operations
William Waru

William Waru

Country Director, South Sudan

Country Offices

Flag of Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso

Mailing/Office Address
s/c CECI, 01 BP 3440, Ouagadougou 01, Secteur 19, Arrondissement 4, Quartier Somgandé

+011-226-25-35-59-94
+011-226-25-35-58-86

Flag of Ghana

Ghana

Mailing Address
P.O. Box AH 1265, Achimota – Accra, Ghana

Office Address
No. 109 Haatso, Video Junction, Atomic Road, Haatso, Accra

+011-233-302-511029
+011-233-302-518776

Flag of Iraq

Iraq

Mailing/Office Address
Al Mansour District, Baghdad

+964-783-403-5323

Flag of Jordan

Jordan

Mailing/Office Address
P.O BOX 940764 Amman 11194 Jordan

+255-684-722-156
+255-782-077-767

Flag of Kenya

Kenya

Mailing/Office Address
Westcom Point – Block C, 7th floor, Mahiga Mairu Rd off Waiyaki Way, Westlands, PO Box 40521 – 00100, Nairobi, Kenya

Flag of Malawi

Malawi

Mailing Address
WUSC-Malawi, Box 30268, Lilongwe 3, Malawi

Office Address
Plot No. 51, Sector 5, Area 47
Lilongwe, Malawi

+265-88-374-2179
+265-99-310-1948
[email protected]

Flag of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Mailing/Office Address
27/9, Rosmead Place, Colombo 7,
Sri Lanka

+94-11-250-4277

Flag of Vietnam

Vietnam

Mailing/Office Address
WUSC Vietnam, La Thanh Hotel, unit C, 218 Doi Can Street, Hanoi, Vietnam

+011-84-43-762-6438
+011-84-43-762-6438
[email protected]

WUSC Members

WUSC members play an important role in our programming globally and in Canada.

Institutional Members

Institutional Members

Institutional members are Canadian post-secondary institutions that are recognized by Universities Canada or Colleges and Institutes Canada. They support the objectives of WUSC and pay an annual membership fee. WUSC’s Institutional Members may send one voting delegate and an unlimited number of observers to the WUSC Annual Assembly.

General Members

General Members

WUSC General Members include individual donors, alumni, and the Canadian public. General Members declare that they will adhere to the mission and values of WUSC and pay an annual membership fee. To learn more about becoming a member of WUSC, please contact us.

Board of Directors

Board of Directors

WUSC is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Board meets three times per year to provide strategic direction to the organization. Board members are elected for three-year terms at WUSC’s Annual Assembly. Click here to view WUSC’s current Board of Directors.

Local Committees

WUSC Local Committees

Active Local Committees have a minimum of five members within a post-secondary institution. They support WUSC’s objectives and hold at least one activity proposed by WUSC each year. Active Canadian WUSC Local Committees may send one voting delegate and an unlimited number of observers to the WUSC Annual Assembly.

Annual General Assembly

WUSC’s 77th Annual General Assembly (AGA) occurred on Saturday, February 10, 2024 from 12:00 – 2:10 p.m. EST at the Shaw Center in Ottawa, Ontario and online.

For any questions, please reach out to [email protected].

Accountability and Policies

WUSC requires that its personnel and affiliates observe high standards of ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. Employees, volunteers, consultants and partners must demonstrate honesty and integrity in fulfilling their responsibilities and comply with all applicable local and international laws as well as the WUSC Code of Conduct, policies and regulations.

We are committed to duty of care and best practices to mitigate risks to health, environment, safety, security, dignity, and life of individuals. Our commitments include the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, protection of children, prevention of modern slavery, mutual respect, diversity and inclusion, compliance with all legal obligations and regulations, and proper use of public funds and assets.

Networks and Councils

Atlantic Council for International Cooperation (ACIC)

The Atlantic Council for International Cooperation (ACIC) is a coalition of individuals, organizations, and institutions working in the Atlantic region, which are committed to achieving global sustainability in a peaceful and healthy environment, with social justice, human dignity, and participation for all.

Cooperation Canada

Cooperation Canada brings together and advocates for Canada’s international development and humanitarian organizations by convening sector leaders, influencing policy and building capacity. Together, we work with partners both inside and outside Canada to build a world that’s fair, safe and sustainable for all.

Canadian Council for Refugees

The Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) is a national non-profit umbrella organization committed to the rights and protection of refugees and other vulnerable migrants in Canada and around the world and to the settlement of refugees and immigrants in Canada. The membership is made up of organizations involved in the settlement, sponsorship and protection of refugees and immigrants.

Devonshire Initiative

The Devonshire Initiative is a multi-stakeholder forum focused on improving development outcomes in the mining context. They provide support and resources to drive cross-sector collaboration. Members include mining companies, non-profit organizations and other practitioners.

International Forum for Volunteering in Development (Forum)

The International Forum for Volunteering in Development (Forum) is the most significant global network of International Volunteer Cooperation Organisations (IVCO). Forum exists to share information, develop good practice and enhance cooperation across the international volunteering and development sectors.

Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC)

The Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC) is a coalition of organizations involved in international development who are committed to respect, empowerment, self-determination, and social justice. MCIC supports, connects and amplifies the work of its members and partners.

Platform for Education in Emergencies Response (PEER)

The Platform for Education in Emergencies Response (PEER) is an online clearinghouse that provides information about educational opportunities for displaced and refugee students, and other resources.

Ontario Council for International Cooperation (OCIC)

The Ontario Council for International Cooperation (OCIC) is an expanding community of Ontario-based international cooperation and global citizenship-focused organizations, institutions, and individual associate members committed to working for global social justice, human dignity and participation for all.

Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation (SCIC)

The Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation (SCIC) is a coalition of organizations and individuals working to advance sustainable global development. Members include international development agencies, the peace-building and humanitarian bodies of major faith groups, educational organizations, solidarity groups, local community organizations, and local individuals committed to SCIC’s mission, vision, and principles.

Small Enterprise Education and Promotion Network (SEEP)

The Small Enterprise Education and Promotion Network (SEEP) is a collaborative learning network. With its members, SEEP supports strategies that create opportunities for vulnerable populations, especially women, to participate in markets and improve their quality of life.