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