Powering Digital Futures for Young People in Ghana

What: International learning experience through collaborative research

Who: 12 Canadian and 12 Ghanaian young leaders aged 18-30 years old

Where: Accra, Ghana

When: July 18 to August 15, 2026

Time commitment: Full-time

Partners: Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs, the Africa Business Centre for Developing Education, and Social Enterprise Ghana

Are you ready to co-create the future?

Are you passionate about improving education and economic opportunities for young people? Do you want to make a difference while exploring how digital skills can be leveraged to enhance young people’s employment and entrepreneurship in Ghana? 

If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident between the ages of 18 and 30, this international opportunity is for you!

Be part of the WUSC 2026 International Seminar, WUSC’s 80th edition of this flagship event, taking place from July 18 to August 15, 2026, in Accra, Ghana. Join a group of 12 passionate young people from Canada and 12 emerging Ghanaians leaders to explore ways to increase access to and more effective utilization of digital technology. In collaboration with local experts, you will contribute to enabling young people to develop their skills for better economic opportunities in Ghana.

The International Seminar brings together young leaders from Canada and around the world to co-create insights, share ideas, and forge lifelong friendships. Since 1948, this transformative program has empowered thousands of participants to tackle pressing global development challenges, including women’s entrepreneurship, sustainable development, youth economic empowerment, and other key issues.

Why participate in the International Seminar in Ghana?

The WUSC 2026 International Seminar will bring together 24 youth participants—12 from Canada and 12 from Ghana—in Accra, Ghana, for an international learning experience through collaborative research. Participants will dive into Ghana’s digital technology sector, working directly alongside three WUSC partner organisations: the Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs, the Africa Business Centre for Developing Education, and Social Enterprise Ghana, to explore how digital skills can be effectively accessed and utilized to enhance youth employment and entrepreneurship nationwide. This collaborative research is designed to foster cross-cultural learning and collaboration, empowering participants to deepen their understanding of complex global systems and contribute to sustainable development and social impact.

To achieve this goal, the WUSC 80th International Seminar offers a blend of participatory research, workshops, interviews, and hands-on activities to deepen participants’ understanding of Ghana’s technology and digital skills sector. It inspires participants to collaboratively use a systems-thinking approach to map and analyze the dynamics behind the identified challenges, and to propose contextually grounded interventions for key stakeholders through a symposium. Participants will also have the opportunity to engage with a Canadian audience to share their experience and the results of their research after returning to Canada. 

What does the WUSC 80th International Seminar aim to achieve?

• Deepen seminarists’ understanding of how social, economic, political, and cultural dynamics operate in both Ghanaian and Canadian contexts by engaging in mutual learning, reflection, and dialogue that surface different perspectives, experiences, and positions within shared global systems.
• Collaborate with three Ghanaian partner organizations, map out the challenges in the technology and digital sector, and offer views and voices on how to improve problems using a systems thinking approach.
• Strengthen Canadian youth capacities to be global development ambassadors through public engagement in Canada.
• Grow a global network of seminar alumni who apply a systems mindset in their work to advance social and ecological change across diverse sectors and communities in Canada and in the countries where WUSC is engaged.
• Provide Canadian and Ghanaian young people with a shared global learning experience that supports opportunities for meaningful personal and professional growth.

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

• Be between 18 and 30 years old on September 30, 2026
• 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 18 to August 15, 2026, inclusively, as well as for public engagement activities taking place across Canada in the 3 months following the end of the International Seminar
• Be committed full-time during the Seminar, and a few hours per month in the fall to share your experience and engage with the Canadian public
• Successfully complete the recruitment process
• Participate in mandatory pre-assignment trainings (15 hours of virtual live sessions)
• Participate in mandatory post-assignment in-person debrief in Ottawa
• Commitment to meet a personal fundraising target of $1,500 for WUSC by July 18, 2026. Fundraising efforts will be supported with training and practical resources
• Have personal financial resources for the first days in Ghana until the WUSC allowance is paid (payment will be made a few days after arrival in Ghana)
• Written and oral fluency in English (activities will be conducted in English).

Why Ghana? 

Ghana is home to a dynamic youth population ready to drive the future, yet structural barriers limit their full participation. The rapid expansion of digital technology creates powerful pathways to new economic opportunities. However, systemic barriers widen the equity gap in digital access. Through this International Seminar, the Canada-Ghana team will explore ways to dismantle systemic obstacles and offer youth perspectives on how to unleash the potential for economic growth in Ghana’s technology and digital sector, especially for young people. 

What support will you receive as an International Seminar participant?

International Seminar participants will receive personalised support from the WUSC team. WUSC covers the costs of pre-departure logistics (visa, round-trip airline ticket, medical examination, criminal record check, vaccinations, training, etc.), provides support and accommodation in Ghana, and offers post-seminar guidance for conducting public engagement activities in Canada. Travel, accommodation and per diems will be covered by WUSC to attend the debriefing, and the team will remain available to answer all your questions throughout your engagement with us. A modest daily subsistence allowance will also be provided from July 18 to August 15, 2026. 

How to apply and make a global impact? 

To apply for the WUSC 2026 International Seminar in Ghana, 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 are relevant.

Deadline for submission of applications: January 25, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET 

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.

WUSC works to create a better world for all young people. To learn more, start here or subscribe to receive highlights directly in your inbox. Are you interested in international volunteering? Check out our current opportunities and sign up to receive international volunteer opportunity alerts. Looking for a new professional opportunity? Check out our current career vacancies. Or show your support for our cause by making a donation.