Volunteering for Development

Gender lens investing is an approach that integrates a gender analysis into investment analysis and decision-making to better inform decisions and advance gender equality. However, gender experts and finance organizations often lack the capacity to integrate their analyses. This problem exists in traditional banks or microfinance institutions where women often still struggle to access appropriate…

The International Seminar is an annual WUSC event for young leaders from around the world to collaborate, share ideas and create long lasting relationships. Each year explores a different contemporary development issue through youth-driven ideas, research and solutions. Since its first iteration in 1948, the International Seminar has seen thousands of participants collaborate on projects…

A Case Study of the CECI – WUSC Partnership There is a critical need for bold and collective action to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Unfortunately, far too few partnerships and consortiums succeed. This case study examines the strategies that drive effective partnerships. But more so, it explores the strategies needed to…

Together stronger From February 7th to 13th, we invite Canadians to celebrate International Development Week – a unique tradition that highlights Canada’s commitment to sustainable development around the globe. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected our lives in significant ways. We have all been impacted by the closure of schools and businesses, job losses, and the…

Many of our international partners have been particularly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is especially true in Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Sri Lanka and Vietnam where WUSC had planned to mobilize more than 200 volunteers this year to support partners in their efforts toward the creation of more resilient and inclusive economies. With office closures and…

What is World Youth Skills Day? World Youth Skills Day highlights the importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship, as well as recognizing the important role of skilled youth in addressing current and future global challenges. This year, World Youth Skills Day takes place in a difficult context. The COVID-19 pandemic…

By Nadeesha Jayasinghe, Uniterra Volunteer, Lanka Impact Investing Network, Sri Lanka In Sri Lanka, Micro-Small-Medium Enterprises contribute to 45% of GDP. Yet, only 25% of entrepreneurs are women. Low confidence, limited access to credit, and lack of financial literacy are some of the barriers which contribute to low representation of women’s entrepreneurship. Here is the…

Tourism is an important economic driver in Vietnam, one that currently employs close to two million workers and contributes 10% to national GDP. With the right skill set, workers in the tourism sector have the potential to earn wages that are double the national average. Unfortunately, the vast majority of young graduates are underqualified and…

Although Mongolia is the second largest cashmere producer in the world, after China, the Mongolian fibre sector is facing challenges in growth — one of the key constraints being the dramatic decrease of newcomers to the workforce in recent years.  In 2015, 65 percent of the fibre sector workforce was under the age of 35 — some…

A multi-national partnership for sustainable gender inclusivity in Mongolia By: Émilie MacIsaac, volunteer Gender and Youth Inclusion Advisor for the Uniterra Program The education sector in Mongolia is largely influenced by gender bias and stereotypes. Men are thought to be more capable of making a living regardless of education and thus receive much less support…