WUSC’s Submission to Canada’s International Assistance Review

Around the world, young people have demonstrated their tremendous capacity to lead – in their homes, in their schools, in their communities, and in their countries. Looking toward the Sustainable Development Goals, we know that youth will be at the forefront of this effort – youth such as our dedicated Local Committee members in Canada, and the many others we support through education, employment, and empowerment opportunities in developing countries around the world.

We are of course not alone in this view. The development sector has taken note of the incredible need to include youth in our global efforts to build a more sustainable world. For example, the theme for this month’s International Youth Day was The Road to 2030: Eradicating Poverty and Achieving Sustainable Consumption and Production, recognizing the pivotal role youth already play in shaping a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable future. But as a recent article in the Guardian indicates, there still a long way to go to transform these promises into action.

On May 18, 2016, Global Affairs Canada launched a public review and consultations to renew Canada’s international assistance policy and funding framework. For the first time in over a decade, the Government of Canada sought for broad participation from Canadians interested in international assistance – including youth – to help rethink its policies and programs in order to better respond to the challenges and opportunities of the new global context.

Together with our network of post-secondary institutions, private-sector partners, and volunteers, WUSC engaged in these consultations to share our experience, analysis, and research. Our input draws from our understanding of the needs of youth, as well as from our programming in Canada and around the world.

We firmly believe in the leading role youth play in global development. That’s why youth – and particularly the transformative role of their education – were at the forefront of our submission to the Government of Canada. Click here to read WUSC’s International Assistance Review Submission.

Let us know what you think. Tweet @WorldUniService or find us on Facebook.