7 Regional Youth Platforms and 18 International Non Governmental Youth Organisations participating to the International Coordination Meeting of Youth Organisations (ICMYO) submitted a statement in preparation of the 10th anniversary of 2001 International Year of Volunteering and in view of the current negotiations being held at the 63rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly which will discuss a resolution on volunteering submitted by the government of Brazil.

Young people today are engaged in volunteering through increasingly diverse ways, ranging from taking part in a single action or enrolling in a voluntary-service programme; to lifetime commitments to volunteering movements. As volunteer-based, democratic youth organisations we are committed to offering volunteering opportunities for all young people, no matter their gender, nationality or background. We aim to ensure quality programmes while remaining open to progress, to be inclusive, equal and open minded. In turn, we expect political, social and financial recognition and support from global and local decision-makers and from the International community, including the United Nations, National Governments and public Authorities. (…)

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0520-08_icmyo_statement_volunteering1