Kevin Kiffer, UN Volunteer Intern (France) with UNDP in Brazzaville (Republic of Congo), makes a survey for communities to identify their own aspirations in order to encourage the involvement of communities in local development. (Photo: Séraphin Ngoma / UNDP)

This weekend (26 - 28 April), Global Youth Service Day is celebrated in over 100 countries to recognize the millions of young people who work to improve their communities. The campaign is led by YSA (Youth Service America), which supports a global culture of engaged youth committed to addressing the world's most critical issues and changing their communities. Throughout the weekend, millions of young people worldwide will be mobilized to engage in sustainable development and peace activities.

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is currently engaging with youth-led networks, international volunteer sending organizations, national volunteering and civil society organizations, and UN agencies to develop the new Youth Volunteers Programme.

To learn more about UNV projects involving young people, please visit our 'Youth' page and follow our youth Twitter feed below.

Youth during a workshop on climate change in Iguiwaz, Morocco. (UNDP CBA Baptiste de Ville d’Avray, 2010)

UNV has been promoting the role of youth in development since 1976, and it has extensive expertise in youth volunteer placement. In 2011, 23 per cent of all UN Volunteers and 62 per cent of all UN Online Volunteers were below the age of thirty.

Many UNV projects already involve a large number of young people. Visit 'Youth' page