World University Service
The World University Service (WUS) is an international network of legally independent, politically and denominationally non- governmental organizations in over 50 countries around the world. WUS was originally founded in 1920 as a Christian aid organization for needy students and scientists and, after the Second World War, merged with another aid organization, World Student Relief . Today, WUS no longer works only in higher education, but at all educational levels and advocates the human right to education worldwide . WUS is recognized as an advisory organization by the United Nations and UNESCO .
history
In August 1920, the European Student Relief was founded in Beatenberg (Switzerland) under the umbrella of the Christian Student World Federation (WSCF) and in the years after the First World War it dealt with needy students, especially war invalids , refugees and tuberculosis sufferers. In 1926 the ESR was renamed the International Student Service (ISS) and in 1931 an organization independent of the WSCF. Due to its primarily social and charitable tasks, the ISS in Germany cooperated with the student unions there at the time and was therefore often referred to as the “International Student Union” or “World Student Union”.
After the beginning of the Second World War , the ISS, together with the WSCF and the Catholic organization Pax Romana, launched a temporary relief campaign for prisoners of war , which was initially called European Student Relief and - after the field of activity was expanded to include the Far Eastern theater of war - in 1943 was renamed World Student Relief . After the end of the war, the International Union of Students and the World Union of Jewish Students joined the WSR as supporting organizations. At the same time, there were differences of opinion about the future course, in particular whether, in addition to social aid, cultural activities and activities promoting international understanding should also be promoted in the future. In 1950 it was finally decided to merge the work of the ISS and WSR under the umbrella of the WUS.
WUS Austria
WUS Austria was founded in Graz in 1983. The organization advocates academic freedom and the right to education in higher education. The geographic focus of her work is primarily on the countries of Southeast Europe, especially the successor states of the former Yugoslavia . WUS Austria's projects are grouped into four core areas:
- University development
- Connection between university and business
- Arts and Culture
- College and Human Rights
WUS Austria works with various actors from the private sector, the public sector, with various educational and research institutions as well as with representatives of civil society - both individuals and institutions. Furthermore, WUS Austria offers various services, including project development, project management, networking and consulting.
WUS Austria is currently in the process of expanding its geographical scope.
WUS Germany
The World University Service - Deutsches Komitee eV was founded in 1950 with a significant contribution from Peter Weinert. Regional WUS groups in Berlin, Hamburg, Jena and Leipzig advise and support foreign students and conduct tutorials, mentoring programs, language courses and lectures.
In addition, WUS Germany organizes seminars, creates publications and information materials. WUS conducts public relations work on a political level, in educational and development organizations and towards the media. WUS takes part in national and international campaigns in the field of education and development, offers advice and runs scholarship programs and projects.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Work report of the World Student Relief 1945/46 ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ a b 10 years of WUS in Germany. Compiled by Jonathan Grigoleit , Bonn 1960 on behalf of the WUS - German Committee .
- ↑ WUS founding member Peter Weinert has died , accessed on January 4, 2017.
