Today marks the start of Student Volunteer Week 2019 (1-7 April). During Student Volunteer Week we celebrate the amazing mahi of our Student Superheroes in all areas of volunteering, and work to grow and develop the student volunteer movement.

Young people are stepping up and taking on some of the most important issues our world has ever seen.

Kaitiakitanga, the guardianship of nature, is this year’s campaign theme. Student volunteers are at the forefront of key initiatives, such as advocating for the carbon neutral future needed to safeguard our planet. By celebrating Kaitiakitanga, we celebrate the students working to ensure a healthy and livable planet for generations to come.

“The mix of kindness, a strong sense of urgency and inclusive practices that I see amongst student volunteers fills me with hope for the future – they are a guide for us all to look up to right now” says Katie Bruce, Chief Executive of Volunteering New Zealand.

“From the huge volunteer effort of organising the school strike for climate of 20,000 young people, to those who spend their weekends protecting native birds from predators, to the students responding with acts of kindness in the wake of the horrific terrorist attacks in Christchurch, the contributions of young people in Aotearoa New Zealand are incredible” says Katie Bruce.

Throughout this week, universities, schools and volunteer organisations are hosting events to celebrate their student volunteers and connect young people with opportunities to start their volunteering journey. Minister Peeni Henare will join a group of student volunteers to talk about the significance of this week on Tuesday afternoon.

Join us in celebrating Student Volunteer Week 2019 through our campaign #SVW2019. More information can be found at www.studentvolunteerweek.nz.

Follow us this week on social media:
Facebook: @VolunteeringNZ 
Twitter: @VolunteeringNZ 
Instagram: @VolunteeringNZ 
LinkedIn: @Volunteering New Zealand