Volunteering as a way of life: Hundreds of young people in Shymkent join UNICEF’s volunteer programme

Shymkent, 22 July 2025 — Today, the UNICEF School of Volunteering launched in Shymkent’s exhibition centre — a major youth event organized by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in partnership with the Akimat of Shymkent and M.Auezov South Kazakhstan University.

Nearly 180 participants — including students, schoolchildren, activists, and young community leaders — came together to learn more about child rights, the role of young people in driving positive change, and the new UNICEF volunteer programme. The event is part of the national series “For the Rights and Well-Being of Children and Youth,” which previously took place in Aktau and Astana.

Welcoming remarks were delivered by Aydyn Meirambekuly Karimov, Deputy Akim of Shymkent; Laetitia Bazzi-Veil, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Kazakhstan; and Gani Abzelbekovich Bespaev, Vice-Rector for Social and Educational Affairs at M.Auezov South Kazakhstan University. The speakers emphasized that volunteering today is more than civic engagement — it is a key step toward a sustainable future where every child is safe, included, and valued.

“UNICEF is working to engage as many young people as possible in the promotion of child rights. We believe in the power of youth — you are not just participants, you are changemakers. Your energy, your ideas, and your values can transform society,” said Laetitia Bazzi-Veil, addressing the audience.

The event programme combined learning, play, and dialogue. Participants engaged in interactive lectures and quizzes, explored the foundations of child rights, discussed current challenges facing children in Kazakhstan, and developed their own initiatives to improve the situation — ranging from environmental protection and mental health to inclusive education and equality.

Particular interest was sparked by the presentation of the newly updated UNICEF School of Volunteering — a flexible online programme covering key topics such as child rights, leadership, sustainable development, and climate action. Already, 484 young people from Shymkent have registered for the programme, reflecting the region’s strong youth interest in social engagement and child rights advocacy.

Young people in Shymkent also had the opportunity to become part of UNICEF’s Green Rising — a global youth-led climate movement supported by UNICEF in more than 70 countries around the world.

The UNICEF School of Volunteering will continue its journey across Kazakhstan, with similar events scheduled in Almaty, Semey, and Kokshetau throughout July and August. Since 2020, over 10,000 young people across Kazakhstan have become UNICEF volunteers. Globally, UNICEF’s volunteer movement includes more than 10 million people.