UNICEF Volunteer School Launches in Aktau!

Aktau, 11 July 2025 — Today, the halls of Yessenov University hosted a landmark event for the youth of the Mangystau Region: the official launch of the UNICEF Volunteer School, which included the first regional meeting in the series ‘For the Rights and Well-being of Children and Youth.’ The initiative brought together more than 150 young people eager to contribute to the development of Kazakhstan and their communities through social and environmental action.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) organized the event with the support of the Governor of the Mangystau Region and Yessenov University. Abbat Zhangirkhanovich Urisbayev, Deputy Governor [Akim] of the Mangystau Region; Dr. Rashed Mustafa Sarwar, UNICEF Representative in Kazakhstan; and Berik Bakhytzhanovich Akhmetov, President of Yessenov University, delivered the welcoming remarks. In their addresses, they emphasized that volunteering today is not merely a form of participation but a key tool for building civic responsibility and a sustainable future.

“The UNICEF Volunteer School is an opportunity for young people to become the voice of change. We believe that volunteering has the power to transform lives not only for those who receive help but also for the volunteers themselves,” said Dr. Sarwar, inspiring the audience to get involved.

The meeting programme was a vibrant mix of interactive discussions, personal stories from volunteers, quizzes, masterclasses, and a media lab. Participants considered the challenges faced by children in Kazakhstan, shared ideas for promoting child and youth rights and well-being, designed environmental initiatives, and learned how to turn civic engagement into meaningful action.

One of the key highlights was the presentation of the new UNICEF Volunteer School — an online educational programme launching in August. The school will offer training in key areas such as child rights and well-being, mental health, environmental action, leadership, and practical volunteer skills. To date, more than 350 young people from the Mangystau region have registered to join the UNICEF volunteer programme.

The Aktau launch marks the beginning of a series of regional gatherings. Similar events will take place in Almaty, Shymkent, Astana, Kokshetau, and Semey through mid-August.

UNICEF promotes volunteering as an integral part of its global mission. Since 2020, over 10,000 young people in Kazakhstan have become UNICEF volunteers, taking part in trainings, campaigns, and awareness-raising initiatives. Global experience shows that youth volunteering strengthens civic engagement, develops leadership skills, and contributes to sustainable development.