Sustainability in Craft: A Roadmap for Sri Lanka’s Artisan Future

Are you passionate about craft and innovation? Do you want to make a difference while exploring how traditional practices can evolve to meet modern challenges? Are you a Canadian citizen or permanent resident between the ages of 18 and 30?

Join WUSC’s 2025 International Seminar, held from July 3 to August 3, 2025, in Sri Lanka, to discover how young people can contribute to the modernization of Sri Lanka’s craft sector. This exciting opportunity will allow you to collaborate with peers and local experts to explore ways to preserve Sri Lankan artisanal heritage while making it competitive, sustainable, and globally accessible.

The International Seminar is WUSC’s annual flagship event, bringing together young leaders from Canada and around the world to collaborate, share ideas, and forge lifelong relationships. Since 1948, this transformative program has empowered thousands of participants to tackle pressing global development challenges, from women’s entrepreneurship and sustainable development to youth economic empowerment and other important global issues.

Why attend the International Seminar in Sri Lanka?

The 2025 International Seminar will unite 24 young participants—12 from Canada and 12 from Sri Lanka—to explore innovative ideas for modernizing the Sri Lankan craft sector. Participants will collaborate with two Sri Lankan partners, Selyn and Kantala, to gain insights into artisans’ challenges and opportunities.

WUSC’s 79th International Seminar offers a blend of participatory research, workshops, interviews, and hands-on activities to deepen participants’ understanding of the artisanal craft sector. It inspires participants to collaboratively design pathways that integrate tradition with innovation through systems thinking and cross-cultural engagement.

At the end of the seminar, participants will present their findings to key stakeholders, offering insights on integrating technology, empowering artisans through inclusive business models, and promoting sustainability to ensure long-term growth in Sri Lanka’s craft sector.

What does the WUSC 79th International Seminar aim to achieve?

• Provide a learning global development experience for Canadian and Sri Lankan youth.
• Collaborate with Sri Lankan partners, map out the challenges of modernizing the craft sector in Sri Lanka, and offer perspectives on how to improve the problem using a systems thinking research approach.
• Strengthen Canadian youth capacities to be global development ambassadors through public engagement once they return to Canada.
• Establish a network of professionals across various sectors equipped with a systems-thinking mindset who can contribute to addressing community issues.
• To conduct research on innovative strategies for modernizing the craft sector in Sri Lanka by exploring the integration of advanced technologies, investigating inclusive business models that empower artisans, and identifying sustainable practices.

Are you one of the 12 young leaders WUSC is looking for?

• Be between 18 and 30 years old
• Citizen or permanent resident of Canada
• Strong problem-solving and general research skills (students/recent graduates in international studies, environment, business administration, experiential learning, and other related fields are encouraged to apply)
• Be available from July 3 to August 3, 2025, inclusively, as well as for public engagement activities designed to inform the Canadian population, with the scope and nature of these activities to be defined in collaboration with the seminar participants. 
• Be committed full-time during the Seminar
• Successfully complete the recruitment process
• Participate in mandatory pre-assignment training
• Commitment to do at least one activity that contributes to meeting a fundraising target of $1,500 by June 1, 2025. Additional efforts to meet the $1,500 target are strongly encouraged, and supported by WUSC with training and practical resources.
• Have personal financial resources for the first days in Sri Lanka until the WUSC allowance is paid (payment will be made a few days after arrival in the host country)
• Written and oral fluency in English (activities will be conducted in English).

Why the Sri Lankan Craft Sector?

Sri Lanka boasts a vibrant artisanal heritage, from intricate weaving and pottery to brasswork and wood carving. However, the craft sector faces challenges, including limited access to technology, outdated business models, and unsustainable resource use. Through this seminar, participants will work on approaches to preserve Sri Lanka’s craft legacy while aligning it with international standards, ensuring its relevance for future generations.

What support will you receive as an International Seminar participant?

International Seminar participants will receive personalized support from the WUSC team. WUSC covers the costs of pre-departure logistics (visa, airline tickets, medical examination, criminal record check, vaccinations, training, etc.), provides support in Sri Lanka and accommodation, and post-seminar follow-up, in addition to remaining available to answer all your questions throughout your engagement with us. A modest daily subsistence allowance will also be provided from July 3 to August 3, 2025. 

How to apply and make a global impact? 

To apply for the 2025 International Seminar in Sri Lanka, please click here.

In your Statement of Interest, please tell us what makes you a valued contributor to this year’s WUSC International Seminar. Include any experience, knowledge, skills, and attitudes you feel is relevant.

Deadline for submission of applications: January 19, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST 

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]. 

We look forward to receiving your application!

The IGNI+E initiative (Innovative Global Networks for Inclusion + Equality), funded by Global Affairs Canada, supports more than 70 partner organizations to promote gender equality and economic empowerment for 1.2 million youth around the world. IGNI+E leverages the knowledge, skills and expertise of qualified Canadians through voluntary assignments and public engagement activities to help partners improve their performance, promote gender equality and implement more sustainable measures, innovative and inclusive initiatives and services for poor and marginalized young people, especially young women. Join us! Click here to see all our volunteer opportunities.