What We Do
WUSC is a Canadian non-profit organization working to create a better world for all young people. We bring together a diverse network of students, volunteers, schools, governments, and businesses who share this vision. Together, we foster youth-centered solutions for improved education, economic, and empowerment opportunities to overcome inequality and exclusion in over 15 countries around the world.
Why Youth?
There are more than 1.8 billion youth in the world today.
Young people are coming of age in a world that is ripe with opportunity and disruption. Yet they also face incredible obstacles to realizing their full potential.
The majority of young people live in regions that continue to be disproportionately affected by global challenges, including economic insecurity, technological change, political uprisings, conflict, and climate change, where they are exposed to further exclusion, inequality, and vulnerability because of their age.
Globally, 263 million children and youth are out of school. Over 60 million of them live in situations of emergency or crisis and almost all of them live in low- and middle-income countries.
Youth represent 15.5% of the global labour force , with 70 million of these young workers living in extreme poverty. A further 70 million youth are unemployed.
Young people experience exclusion from decision-making at the personal, family, community and institutional levels. Such exclusion stifles their creativity, silences their voices, and reduces their agency.
We believe working with and for youth, especially young women, is the most efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective way to tackle the roots of poverty.
A Focus on Young Women
Young women confront persistent gender stereotypes, an unfair share of family obligations, discriminatory laws and practices, and pervasive gender-based violence. They have inequitable access to resources and opportunities that begins in childhood and continues into adulthood.
We invest significant resources to address the barriers that young women face, recognizing the additional marginalization they experience as well as the role of advancing gender equality in creating a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world.
A Focus on Young Refugees
The global refugee crisis had a disproportionate effect on youth. An estimated 50% of the world’s 25.9 million refugees are under the age of 18 years old. Refugee youth are an important demographic who will one day play key roles in the rebuilding of more peaceful and prosperous countries.
We invest in education, economic opportunities, and empowerment as pathways to improve the availability and quality of durable solutions for young refugees.
Programming Areas
Education
Improving young people’s access to quality education, especially among girls and refugees.
Economic Opportunities
Improving young people’s access to quality training and employment-related services, while supporting more inclusive economies.
Empowerment
Engaging young people to contribute toward a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world.
Signature Programs
Student Refugee Program
Providing Canadian post-secondary education and resettlement opportunities to young refugees for over forty years.
Funded By
