Harmonizing Hopes: Refugee and Host Community Youth Thriving Together – A Collaborative Journey towards Economic Opportunities

Are you passionate about the socio-economic development of young people? Do you want to help strengthen the cohesion between refugee youth and the communities hosting them? Are you a Canadian citizen or permanent resident between the ages of 18 and 30?

WUSC invites you, from July 28 to August 24, 2024, to participate in the 78th International Seminar to deepen your understanding of economic and collaborative solutions for young refugees and host communities, especially by exploring promising digital innovations that can positively transform the lives of young people.

The International Seminar is WUSC’s flagship annual event that allows young leaders from around the world to collaborate, share ideas and create lasting relationships. Each year, the Seminar explores a contemporary development challenge through ideas, research and solutions proposed by young people, collaborating directly with key actors in one or more countries. Since its first edition in 1948, the International Seminar has seen thousands of participants collaborate on projects related to women entrepreneurship, sustainable development, the integration of young people in the job market, the impact of volunteering, and other important global issues.

Why attend the International Seminar in Jordan, Kenya or Malawi?

Simultaneously held in Jordan, Kenya and Malawi, the International Seminar will bring together youth from Canada, Jordan, Kenya and Malawi, as well as current refugees from the latter three countries to explore different ways to strengthen cohesion between young refugees and host communities. Each selected seminarist will travel to only one of the 3 countries to focus on group research on a particular context.

Through research and discussions guided by partners in the WUSC volunteer cooperation program, workshops, group discussions, interviews and activities led by peers, participants will actively contribute to knowledge building in terms of inclusive and sustainable economic and collaborative solutions, particularly for young people and their host communities. At the end of the seminar, you will share your findings and provide recommendations to WUSC, partner organizations, country, and international stakeholders, to enhance the quality and impact of international development projects. Ultimately, you will collaborate to improve the social and economic well-being of young refugees in countries where WUSC has program partners, with the objective of contributing to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

The 78th edition of the International Seminar aims specifically to:

• Create a learning opportunity for young world leaders and provide a platform for collaboration, the exchange of ideas, the creation of lasting relationships and the development of know-how and skills in international development, including soft skills;  
• Identify ways to strengthen cohesion between young refugees and host communities in Jordan, Kenya and Malawi;
• Identify barriers to economic opportunities for young refugees;
• Develop recommendations to leverage technologies with the potential to increase employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young refugees;
• Develop and strengthen skills around systems thinking and its usefulness in understanding complex issues.

WUSC is looking for 12 young leaders that meet the following criteria:

• Be between 18 and 30 years old
• Citizen or permanent resident of Canada
• Be available from July 28 to August 24, inclusively, as well as a weekend in September 2024 for a public event in Canada to disseminate the results of the Seminar (date and Canadian city to be confirmed)
• Be committed full-time (35 hours per week) during the Seminar
• Successfully complete the recruitment process
• Participate in mandatory pre-assignment training
• Commitment to fundraise CAD 1,500 by June 30, 2024. Seminarists will make a personal financial contribution to meet the CAD 1,500 mandatory target by July 1, 2024
• Have savings for the first days in the host country 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 entirely in English).

Former WUSC Student Refugee Program students, youth with lived experience of forced displacement and/or young social entrepreneurs, engineers and artists working in the technology sector are encouraged to apply. 

International Seminar participants will receive personalized support from the WUSC team. WUSC covers the costs of pre-departure logistics (visas, airline tickets, medical examination, criminal record checks, vaccinations, training, etc.), provides support in the selected country 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 for the duration of the Seminar.

How to apply?

To apply for the Seminar in Jordan, please click here

To apply for the Seminar in Kenya, please click here.

To apply for the Seminar in Malawi, 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, skill, and attitudes you feel is relevant.

Deadline for submission of applications: January 14, 2024 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.