CUSO

Cuso International, is a non-profit development organization, whose goal is to work alongside local people in other countries, to improve the lives of people living with poverty and inequality. Each year the organization mobilizes hundreds of volunteer professionals who work with local partners to create positive, lasting change. Established in 1961, Cuso International is a registered charity in Canada and the United States. There have been numerous changes in Cuso International's mission statement and activities since 1961. Cuso International volunteers come from many professional and personal backgrounds, from many ages, and from across Canada and the United States, as well as from many of the Southern countries in which they work.

Cuso International works in inclusive partnerships to eradicate poverty through equitable and sustainable development.

CUSO was launched in 1961, built on the foundation of early university-based initiatives including Canadian Overseas Volunteers (COV), Canadian Voluntary Commonwealth Service (CVCS) and Le Mouvement Universitaire National pour le Developpement Outre-Mer. Originally known as Canadian University Service Overseas (and in French, SUCO – Service universitaire canadien outre-mer), the organization eventually moved beyond university students, and in 1981 its name changed to "CUSO".

In the 1980s and early 1990s CUSO realized that a tremendous need for social justice work exists in the countries where CUSO had been sending volunteers. It was decided to prepare CUSO cooperants (as they then came to be known to do more than provide service. Cooperants would also be expected to prepare to work in humble solidarity with local people, forming relationships as foundations for the work that needed to be done with the local organization. Volunteers would share their knowledge and skills with local counterpart(s), while learning about the local NGO, local cultural values and recommended practices. Such knowledge provided reciprocal value. The volunteer usually becomes more relaxed and better in the role after learning the local language and cultural values. Social alliances provide positive benefits for the local people too, while providing psychological stability and a safety net for the volunteer.

VSO Canada (whose mother organization was VSO UK) and CUSO made the decision to unite in 2008. They decided to call themselves "'CUSO-VSO'". In 2011 CUSO-VSO adopted another name change. "'CUSO-VSO'" became "'Cuso International'". Also in 2011, "'Cuso International'" recognized and celebrated a 50-year anniversary for the organization's roots in CUSO. The marriage of the two organizations has had its growing pains, but ultimately the new organization is apparently benefiting from the union.

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