Typhoon Bopha Volunteers assisting community Philippines 2013

Volunteer health education Myanmar Red Cross Society

The Regional Perspective

The IFRC Strategy 2030 strongly emphasizes the objective of re-imagining IFRC work with and through volunteers and in particular with young people. IFRC humanitarian educational programmes will be expanded with the aim of preparing young people particularly for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. The Federation commits to “connect with the younger generation of community-based change agents who are mobilising in large numbers and in creative ways. We will adapt our systems and cultures to be more effective at engaging young people, including supporting their participation in leadership and decision making”. IFRC Youth Policy (rev 2017) recognizes young people as “key drivers in humanitarian action and development. Being meaningfully engaged as today’s and tomorrow’s leaders, volunteers, and members of affected communities, they foster community resilience.” In line with IFRC Strategy and inspired by IFRC Youth Policy (2017) and Youth Engagement Strategy (2013), national societies (NSs) are increasingly recognizing the benefits of investing in education, empowerment, and creation of enabling environments for young people to change themselves and their societies.

In Southeast Asia, youth empowerment is considered a cornerstone of building safe and resilient communities. National Societies are actively developing their youth structures to ensure youth engagement in decision-making processes at all levels of management, governance and service-delivery. This process not only enables meaningful participation of youth but also facilitates their bridging role between communities, National Societies and regions.