The Guelph local committee of the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) received the 2012 Local Committee of the Year award, at the WUSC International Forum in Ottawa Nov. 2.
Twelve U of G representatives, including staff advisors and students, accepted the award given annually by the WUSC board of directors to recognize a local committee that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to international development and global citizenship.
Guelph’s local committee promotes the power of education to change the world and aims to increase understanding of international development issues at U of G and in the wider community, with an emphasis on refugee rights.
The committee’s largest program is the student refugee program, which brings students from refugee camps to study at the University. This year the WUSC group supported three students.
The U of G committee also supports WUSC’s Refugee Camp(us) and Shine a Light Campaign to raise awareness about the issues that refugees face and advocate for their rights in Canada and elsewhere.
The Guelph committee recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Student Life marking the beginning of the group’s formal affiliation with this University department.
Committee members are currently seeking students, staff and faculty interested in becoming involved with WUSC. For more information, email wusc@uoguelph.ca.