Are you interested in becoming a UNESCO Aotearoa Youth Leader?
Are you a young person with an interest in deepening connections between Aotearoa youth and UNESCO globally in order to contribute to a more sustainable and peaceful future? Then the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO wants to hear from you.
Applications open
We’re currently inviting applications from youth aged between 18 and 25 to join our UNESCO Aotearoa Youth Leader whānau in 2026. The group consists of young leaders who serve as advisors to the National Commission, connectors to their own community and ambassadors of UNESCO’s work.
The successful candidates will advise the National Commission on a number of issues and engage in initiatives that align with the National Commission’s cross-cutting themes - Climate Action; Literacy and Lifelong Learning; Safe Digital Environments; Indigenous Knowledge/Mātauranga Māori; Strong Social Fabrics and Cohesion; as well as UNESCO programmes including Global Geoparks, Memory of the World and the Creative Cities Network.
To apply please click on the link below.
Note: While this is a volunteer role, the position includes a small honorarium as well as opportunities for travel and professional development. Therefore, potential candidates need to demonstrate a commitment (both in time and in passion to the cause) to the role. Membership term is two years, and you will be expected to attend at least three meetings per year in Wellington, with expenses covered by the National Commission. The role is open to New Zealand residents only.
Applications close 5pm, 14 November 2025. Successful youth leaders need to be available to take up their role from January 2025.
