International Youth Networks
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network. Our secretariat supports local Red Cross and Red Crescent action in more than 192 countries, bringing together almost 14 million volunteers for the good of humanity.
Young people play a vital role in humanitarian action and development around the world. They represent the majority of our 14 million strong volunteer base, delivering lifesaving and life-changing work within their communities every single day.
The IFRC sees meaningful youth engagement as essential to delivering effective and principled humanitarian assistance and transforming our organisation for the better.
Youth can be loosely defined by age, however, young people are not one singular group, actors such as gender, socio-economic background and ethnicity all affect their access to equal resources and opportunities.
We listen to and consider this diversity of young people’s experiences and needs in all that we do.
What is IFRC’s Youth Commission?
The IFRC’s Youth Commission is responsible for advising our governing bodies and National Societies on all matters relating to young people. It promotes the implementation of the IFRC’s Youth Policy and ensures young voices from across our network are considered in all that we do.
The commission is made up of young volunteers and staff from National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. There is a chairperson and eight members, all under 31 years old at the beginning of their four-year term. Elections are carried out at alternating IFRC General Assemblies.