Corporate Social Responsibility

WorldStrides Canada believes in a shared duty to be socially, environmentally, and ethically responsible.

WorldStrides, a global organization, is committed to educate and serve communities worldwide. Our commitment is fueled by the passion of our team members and partners to make experiential learning accessible, while also being socially, environmentally, and ethically responsible. Together, we accomplish this by investing in initiatives to promote inclusion, diversity, and sustainability.

Every company should invest in being socially and environmentally responsible since it is the "right thing to do"; however, we believe it is also the best thing to do to create long-term value for our team members, participants, and stakeholders.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Sustainability

Health and Wellness

Philanthropy

Ensure employees and participants feel supported and celebrated.

Reduce environmental impacts in our offices and on tour.

Invest in the well-being of our participants and employees.

Increase philanthropic impact with strategic community partners.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We are committed to the personal development that happens when people interact with people who have different perspectives. We believe in extending the opportunity to learn through engaging others of all races, ethnicities, creeds, gender identities, sexual orientations, and physical and mental abilities.

Our commitment extends to our workplace and program locations, where we believe in creating inclusive spaces that promote and value diversity. We believe this focus makes us more successful, and that creating an environment that encourages people of all backgrounds to contribute their best work is the right thing to do.

Current initiatives are designed to continue fostering a community of belonging and equity to include:

WorldStrides View on Gender Identity and Gender Expression
WorldStrides Professional Internship Program offers experiential learning opportunities for students seeking to develop job readiness skills in a corporate environment. This internship also introduces interns to our corporate social responsibility philosophy and provides experiential learning opportunities to integrate social and environmental justice into their corporate and community projects, along with their executive presentations.
WorldStrides Canada is committed to ensuring that all of our experiences are inclusive, equitable, and culturally enriching for every student because we know firsthand the power of educational travel. We’ve compiled this document to answer common questions we’re asked by educators across Canada.

Financial Assistance

Through the WorldStrides Canada Financial Assistance Program, elementary or secondary school students with financial limitations can receive additional funds to participate in our programs. Strong candidates include those who have undergone family financial hardships, identify as a member of an underrepresented group, or possess a disability. Individuals travelling on a coach tour could receive up to $250, and those travelling on a flight tour could receive up to $1,000. Funds will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

To be considered for financial assistance, the participant’s school must submit an application through our confidential application process. Interested families should speak with their school. Educators, please reach out to your Tour Consultant for more information.

Sustainability

At WorldStrides Canada, we Choose Earth – it is our way of building environmental and social responsibility into the ethos and outcomes of our business practices and educational programs. We believe that these programs should be adventurous and focus on learning about our most challenging societal problems, all circling back to our dedication to a sustainable future.

Being an educational provider, we hold a special platform and opportunity to allow participants to engage in sustainable thinking while minimizing our company’s carbon footprint on program and in the office.

Current initiatives that will move us forward in our sustainable journey include:

Partnership with Carbonzero to provide our participants with carbon neutral travel experiences.
Partnership with Fill it Forward to encourage waste reduction practices in our offices and on our programs.

Responsible Business Principles

WorldStrides Canada bases commercial relations with vendors and business partners on Responsible Business Principles to promote ethics and good governance. We aim to create and nurture mutually beneficial relationships while staying true to our company values. Our goal is to set a positive example within our industry by encouraging other organizations to embrace these principles and to share their own best practices.

Maintain transparent business partnerships

When a decision is made choosing between possible vendors, WorldStrides Canada first informs its business partners about the rules and criteria. Selection will be objective and consistent with these criteria.

Avoid conflicts of interest between employees and the company

We expect our employees to ensure that their activities and interests, including those of any family member or affiliated organization, do not conflict with WorldStrides’ best interests.

Avoid creating economic dependence with business partners

WorldStrides Canada will be attentive to the proportion of sales generated by its business partners and their customer diversification to avoid creating unintentional economic dependence.

Maintain confidentiality of information and communication with business partners

WorldStrides Canada ensures that no confidential information about its business partners is revealed, transmitted, or used outside its business relationship with them. After relations have been terminated, confidential information continues to be confidential in accordance with any applicable agreements and legislation.

Refuse gratuities and excessive gifts from business partners

WorldStrides Canada will not grant or accept any acts of kindness, gratuities, or gifts with excessive value from its business partners.

Respect intellectual property rights of partners

WorldStrides Canada respects the intellectual property rights enjoyed by its business partners. Unless there is an associated agreement, Worldstrides Canada will not use their name, trademarks, or protected designs, and will prevent any illegal use of their software and their protected artistic or literary works.

Practice anti·corruption in all business transactions

WorldStrides Canada does not make payments to members of the government or any other public official to obtain favourable decisions or undue advantages when obtaining any contract. WorldStrides Canada also pays attention to our financial transactions to detect possible money laundering by bad actors.