We believe in the potential of all people and we trust that with the right knowledge, skills and experience, people will find ways to provide for their families, build strong communities, and affect positive social change for future generations.
WUSC provides education and training to improve livelihoods, balance inequities, integrate vulnerable communities, promote health and foster social and economic development.
Our Values
Integrity:
We build accountability measures into all of our initiatives and offer transparent reporting.
Leadership:
Our programs actively promote leadership and a sense of ownership among participants.
Inclusion:
We take a people-centered approach to development, respecting the contributions and honouring the diversity of volunteers, staff, partners, and beneficiaries.
Reciprocity:
We acknowledge that our work is only one step in the development process. We provide educational and skill-building opportunities to people and partners who will use their knowledge and skills to support human development in their communities and nations.
Sustainability:
We use an evidence-based approach to develop initiatives that produce measurable, sustainable results. We are temporary actors and focus our framework and methods on sustainability.
Our Approach
WUSC’s approach to development is informed by decades of experience linking the right people together to facilitate the exchange of skills and knowledge necessary to improve living standards.
We promote volunteerism – Drawing on the strength and commitment of volunteers is a powerful way of tackling development challenges. By mobilizing Canadian professionals and students as international volunteers, we widen our reach and enable them to become part of the solution to critical global issues.
We foster youth leadership – We see youth as powerful agents to foster global understanding and create a more equitable world. We are committed to engaging youth on global issues and supporting their commitment and contribution to positive social change.
We work in partnership – By engaging community organizations, post-secondary institutions, governments, and the private sector, both in Canada and in developing countries, we build on one another’s competencies to create durable solutions to development challenges. We are strategic and focused in our efforts so our resources are put to best use and are to scale.