Media Release
Volunteering New
Zealand
12 April 2013
Global Youth Service
Day 26-28 April
Global Youth Service Day (26-28
April) is the world’s largest service event recognising
the work of young volunteers around the world.
In New Zealand 24% of young people aged 12-24 volunteer according to a 2009 / 2010 Statistics New Zealand Time Use Survey.
Sam Johnson, 2012 Young New Zealander of the Year and leader of the Volunteer Army Foundation, says “Thousands of young people around the world will be working in their community, helping their school, helping elderly, or offering their skills online to create stronger, more awesome communities.”
Vanisa Dhiru, CEO of Volunteering New Zealand, believes it’s important for young people to volunteer and to recognise the impact their volunteer time has on our society. “Young people are needed for the future,” says Vanisa. “Succession planning in community organisations can’t be overlooked as young people add a different dimension to the volunteer and work place.”
An estimated two million young people will take part in Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) projects in over 100 countries.
2013 marks the 25th anniversary of GYSD and is a campaign of leading youth service organisation, Youth Service America.
To register a GYSD project visit www.gysd.org
Volunteering New Zealand (VNZ) is an association of New Zealand organisations that have a commitment to volunteering, such as volunteer centres, national and other organisations. Their mission is to promote, support and advocate for volunteering. www.volunteeringnz.org.nz
[ends]