Corporate Social Responsibility - WorldStrides Australia

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

The objective of Corporate Social Responsibility at WorldStrides is to generate a positive impact for all stakeholders, from participants to employees to business partners and beyond.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Ensure employees and participants feel supported and celebrated

Environmental Sustainability

Reduce environmental impacts in our offices and on tour

Health & Wellness

Invest in the well-being of our participants and employees

Community Engagement

Increase philanthropic impact with strategic community partners

Responsible Business Principles

WorldStrides 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 first informs its business partners about the rules and criteria. Selection will be objective and consistent with these criteria.
Avoid creating economic dependence with business partners
WorldStrides will be attentive to the proportion of sales generated by its business partners and their customer diversification to avoid creating unintentional economic dependence.
Refuse gratuities and excessive gifts from business partners
WorldStrides will not grant or accept any acts of kindness, gratuities, or gifts with excessive value from its business partners.
Practice anti·corruption in all business transactions
WorldStrides does not make payments to members of the government or any other public official to obtain favorable decisions or undue advantages when obtaining any contract. WorldStrides also pays attention to our financial transactions to detect possible money laundering by bad actors.

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.
Maintain confidentiality of information and communication with business partners
WorldStrides 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.
Respect intellectual property rights of partners
WorldStrides respects the intellectual property rights enjoyed by its business partners. Unless there is an associated agreement, Worldstrides 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.

Recent Accomplishments

Partnered with Fill it Forward to engage WorldStrides team members and participants in waste reduction practices
Launched One WorldStrides Internship Program to create more accessibility for those interested in being a part of a mission-driven organization
Expanded the Choose Earth Certificate to broaden the reach of our collective goal to increase environmentally and socially responsible practices for a sustainable community
Created more Employee Resource Groups to provide more engagement opportunities for our social and environmental groups of interest
WorldStrides Canada launched their partnership with Carbonzero to offset air and land travel for participants

2019-2020 CSR Milestones

WorldStrides CSR Strategy approved by Board of Directors.
Formed CSR Steering Committee to support implementation of initiatives
Launched Charitable Giving nominations by employees for youth-serving community organizations
Launched Employee Matching initiative to amplify personal donations by employees to youth-serving community organizations
Launched Volunteer Time Off benefit for employees to give back to their communities
Developed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy and formed DEI Council
Expanded Social and Environmental Reporting scope to cover +60% of WorldStrides’ employee footprint globally
Formalized Responsible Business Principles
Recommend Office Sustainability Improvements across WorldStrides partners