Reporter: Modeline Nicholas Longjohn
The World University Services of Canada (WUSC) is a Canadian based non-profit organization dedicated to improving education, employment, and empowerment opportunities for youth across the globe. Founded in 1929 by a group of students in Toronto, WUSC has advanced over time to become a global network of International student services with projects embarked upon in over two dozen countries. One of the key arms of organisation is the student refugee program (SRP) which was formally launched in 1978. The aim of the SRP has been to support young refugees (mainly from Jordan, Malawi and Tanzania and more) by providing them education as well as an opportunity to resettle in Canada thereafter. Funded by donations from individuals, foundations, student groups and government grants, WUSC partners with universities to facilitate the national program.
Under the supervision of the Internalization office of MUN and in partnership with the headquarters of WUSC in Ottawa, a St. John’s chapter has been constituted with a committee chaired by final year Kinesiology student and Miss Canada Global 2018 Miss Shauna Griffiths. The local committee is dedicated to raising awareness about the current global refugee problem as well as raise funds to bring the refugee program to St. John’s.
In line with the goals of the local committee, they held an information session at the Landing, UC on Wednesday 31st October 2018 with panelist discussing the current global refugee crisis. The panel consisted of Shauna Griffiths, Farzana Yeasmin, Italia Skye Esmond, Husam Basemah and Nabila Qureshi, a diverse and multicultural group which brought different sides to the conversation.
On how the programme will impact the province, the chair of the committee, Miss Griffiths believes that it will push multiculturalism, social inclusion, acculturation and diversity, which will inadvertently play a role in driving the growth of Newfoundland.
For more information on WUSC-MUN, they can be connected with them viaFacebook @ WUSC Memorial University Chapter.
The Muse wishes WUSC all the best, as they embark on this laudable project.
“The aim of the SRP has been to support young refugees (mainly from …, Malawi … ”
I am posting this from Malawi. It is true that life in Malawi can be very hard for some people, but I do not see how that can be the basis of claiming asylum elsewhere in the World. Perhaps the SRP is just offering scholarships (or whatever) to those who cannot afford a decent education here.