World Scouting and UNV embark on new global partnership

World Scouting and the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme signed a new global partnership agreement today, set to increase collaboration between the UN’s special programme for volunteers and one of the world’s largest volunteer movements.

In this new collaboration, UNV and World Scouting will jointly promote volunteering as a powerful tool to advance youth and community development. The two partners will work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and advocate for policy frameworks that enable, empower and protect volunteers from diverse backgrounds.

“Volunteering is at the heart of our movement and is an integral part of how young people develop and grow through Scouting to become active citizens in their communities. We’re so proud to partner up with UNV to bring more recognition and resources to volunteering worldwide.”--Mr Ahmad Alhendawi, Secretary General of the World Organization of the Scout Movement

UNV estimates that the equivalent of one billion full time volunteers worldwide are donating their time in nearly every community in the world. For over a century, volunteers have been a cornerstone of the Scout Movement. Nearly 10 per cent of its current membership is adult volunteers, devoting their free time towards the non-formal education and development of young people.

“Volunteerism is often the first experience of civic engagement for young people. UNV is honoured to partner with World Scouting to find new ways to empower and support the millions of young volunteers who stand ready, willing and able to make a difference in their communities.” -- Mr Olivier Adam, Executive Coordinator of UNV

Through this new partnership, UNV offices in the field and National Scout Organizations will be able to collaborate and raise the profile of volunteering at a national level, while finding new ways to mobilize volunteers to respond to the needs of their communities. The global partnership agreement was signed digitally on 1 October 2020 by Mr Ahmad Alhendawi, Secretary General of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, and Mr Olivier Adam, Executive Coordinator of UNV.