Appendix II What is WUS?
| Published date | 01 December 1991 |
| DOI | 10.1177/016934419100900411 |
| Date | 01 December 1991 |
| Subject Matter | Part C: Appendices |
Appendix11 IWhatis WUS?
APPENDIX
II
WHAT IS WUS?
World University Service (WUS) is an international, non-governmental
organisation focusing on education.
It
is made up of a network of national
committees and contacts in 60 countries which involve academics and students
in international programmes. WUS has consultative status with several United
Nations agencies.
Since its foundation in 1920 under the name of European Student Relief,
the organisation has undergone considerable transformation. An initially
European focus was gradually replaced by an international one, as committees
were established in Africa and Asia, and later in Latin-America. Renamed
World University Service in 1950, the organisation began to take on its present
form. An exclusive concern with universities evolved into a policy linking the
education resources of the universities to the needs of the community. Priority
in its policies and programmes was also given to the defence of human rights,
whether political, economic or social, and in particular in the education sector,
and to the educational needs of women.
Scholarships for political refugees, returnees and victims
of
discrimination
have long been a major activity. But increasing emphasis
has
been placed on
linking the human and technical resources of the universities with development
needs. Social action programmes are supported, responding to local initiatives
and stimulating self-reliance. WUS's concerns have come to embrace education
in its widest sense, with participation in literacy programmes and support for
"appropriate"education. WUS has five priority programme areas: education and
training for refugees, returnees and victims of discrimination; human rights;
women; community development; and academic cooperation.
WUS programmes are presently funded mainly by government development
agencies and non-governmental organisations in Australia, Britain, Canada,
Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.
World University Service
5Chemin des Iris
1216 Geneva
Switzerland
471
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