Spotlight on Youth Engagement: How Local Committees across Canada are Advocating for Global Development on their Campuses
At WUSC, we believe in the transformative power of youth leadership. We don’t just work for youth—we work with youth to drive meaningful change. Our unique approach to youth engagement puts young people at the centre of our efforts to advance global development. Nowhere is this more visible than in the work of WUSC Local Committees: vibrant, youth-led groups based in post-secondary institutions across Canada.
We are proud to have more than 110 active Local Committees in universities, colleges, and CEGEPs. Comprising more than 1,000 student, staff, and faculty volunteers, these committees bring WUSC’s mission to life on campuses across the country. They play a crucial role in building welcoming communities for newcomers and raising awareness about key global issues—from forced displacement and access to education, to gender equality and youth empowerment.
One of the most powerful examples of youth leadership through Local Committees is their role in the Student Refugee Program —a unique program that combines resettlement with post-secondary education opportunities. WUSC identifies refugee youth in need of durable resettlement solutions and our Local Committees sponsor these students on their campuses. The Local Committee members coordinate the sponsorship process, welcome newcomers, and provide them with ongoing academic, social, and emotional support.
Beyond the Student Refugee Program, Local Committees are also powerful advocates for global development, using creative campaigns and events to engage the broader student body on critical global issues. This year, WUSC introduced a new challenge to highlight youth engagement in celebration of International Women’s Day 2025. The challenge invited Local Committees to design and implement activities that raise awareness around gender equality and amplify the voices of women and girls, particularly those affected by conflict, displacement, and/or marginalization.
Five Local Committees were selected to receive microgrants to bring their ideas to life, including the University of British Columbia and Concordia University. At UBC, the Local Committee hosted a film screening and panel discussion on gender and displacement, featuring refugee youth and scholars. The event drew a large crowd and created space for dialogue around inclusive policy and intersectional advocacy. The Local Committee at Concordia University hosted another panel event that brought together an alumna from the Student Refugee Program, a gender studies professor, and a local entrepreneur to explore themes of resilience, migration, and womanhood. The event bridged academic and lived experiences, leaving participants with both knowledge and inspiration to act.
Other winning Local Committees included those from Trinity College at the University of Toronto, Queen’s University, and Wilfrid Laurier University. Their initiatives ranged from interactive exhibits to artistic workshops and discussion circles—all rooted in WUSC’s values of inclusion, equity, and youth engagement.
By centering Local Committees in this initiative, WUSC reaffirmed its commitment to creating opportunities for young people to shape global conversations, starting in their own communities. These youth-led initiatives demonstrate that with the right support, youth are champions of gender equality and drive progress towards more inclusive, informed, and compassionate campuses.
Want to support WUSC’s work in gender equality? Visit herfuture.wusc.ca to learn how you can volunteer, donate, and help spread the word.