Introduction
In 1862, Henri Dunant, deeply moved by the suffering he witnessed in 1859 at the Battle of Solferino, asked a transformative question in his book A Memory of Solferino: could communities create relief groups in times of peace, ready to serve the wounded in times of war? His idea, rooted in compassion and neutrality, led to the creation of the Red Cross Red Crescent (RCRC) Movement, now the world’s largest humanitarian network.
More than 160 years later, the ethos of Tutti fratelli (‘all brothers’) still inspires. Today, 16 million RCRC volunteers reach over 160 million people each year (IFRC, 2024). Yet, as climate emergencies, protracted conflicts, and inequality intensify, the world again stands at a crossroads. We need a new generation of changemakers — Generation Peace — who see volunteering not merely as service, but as a pathway to dignity, inclusion, and lasting peace. This think piece is a call to action for Generation Peace—to respond to today’s challenges not with despair, but with solidarity, one volunteer at a time.
A Force for Peace and Inclusion
At its core, volunteering is a deeply human response to suffering. As Dunant showed, it transcends politics and identity. It reflects solidarity—the belief that our wellbeing is interconnected. Volunteers are often first to arrive in crises and the last to leave (UNV, 2022). But beyond immediate aid, volunteering rebuilds social fabric, restores trust, and strengthens cohesion.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteers delivered food, supported vaccine campaigns, and provided psychosocial care when formal systems were strained (IFRC, 2021). Community health volunteers in low-resource settings maintained trust in public health (Haldane et al., 2021). The Global Youth Mobilization supported thousands of youth-led initiatives across 125 countries, reaching over 600,000 people with solutions in education, health, and resilience (GYM, 2022).
In fragile settings, youth-led volunteering fosters reconciliation and peacebuilding — from post-genocide Rwanda to climate justice activism in New Zealand (Pledge for Peace, 2024). These actions show that peace is not only negotiated in conference rooms but lived in communities through everyday acts of service.
Youth at the Heart of Generation Peace
Young people embody the spirit of volunteering — courage, compassion, and solidarity. They are often the most affected by crises but also the most active in creating solutions. Today, more than half of RCRC volunteers iare under 30 (IFRC, 2024). Their creativity and leadership are reshaping humanitarian action, focusing on equity, inclusion, and climate justice.
The IFRC’s Youth Engagement Strategy: Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers positions youth as leaders rather than recipients of aid (IFRC, 2024). Similarly, the Big Six Youth Organisations’ Global Youth Mobilization initiative illustrates how youth-led initiatives can advance the Sustainable Development Goals while addressing urgent local needs (GYM, 2023). This is Generation Peace in action: young people as architects of more inclusive and peaceful societies; agents of transformation, advocates for justice, amplifiers of unheard voices and anchors for their communities.
Co-Creation and Intergenerational Dialogue
For volunteering to sustain peace, it must be co-created across generations. Too often, youth engagement is symbolic. True transformation happens when young people help design solutions alongside older generations. Elders bring contextual knowledge; youth bring fresh urgency and innovation. Together, they create more resilient, inclusive outcomes.
Within the RCRC Movement, intergenerational volunteering fosters mentorship and trust. This aligns with UN Security Council Resolution 2419, which underscores that youth are not optional participants but essential decision-makers in peace processes (UN, 2018). To build Generation Peace, institutions must invest in intergenerational solidarity — not competition.
Protecting Those Who Serve
As volunteers increasingly operate on frontlines — whether in conflict zones, disasters, or health emergencies — safeguarding their safety and well-being is vital. Too many face injury, trauma, or even death. The IFRC has strengthened training, insurance, and mental health support for its volunteers (IFRC, 2024).
The State of the World’s Volunteerism Report stresses that protecting volunteers’ dignity and security is not only ethical but essential to sustaining community resilience (UNV, 2022). Without protection, volunteerism cannot thrive.
The Future of Volunteering: Inclusive, Safe, Youth-Led
Reimagining volunteering requires adapting to new realities. Digital and hybrid models are expanding access. Informal volunteerism is rising, demanding flexible recognition. Young people are seeking opportunities aligned with their values: climate justice, equity, and mental health (International Forum for Volunteering in Development, 2025).
To meet these needs, volunteering must be:
- Inclusive — open and accessible to all.
- Safe — grounded in systems that protect those who serve.
- Youth-led — empowering the next generation to lead now, not later.
These principles form the building blocks of empowering a new generation to lead us towards peace, not in the distant future, but now.
A Call to Action: One Volunteer at a Time
The spirit of Solferino endures in every volunteer who chooses to serve a stranger or strengthen a community. Since 1862, we have known one truth: peace begins with human connection. Volunteering—especially youth-led and intergenerational—remains our most powerful tool for building a better world. Peace is not only achieved through treaties but through countless small acts of compassion.
Generation Peace is not a slogan but a global movement. Volunteering, especially when youth-led and intergenerational, is one of the most powerful tools we have to bridge divides and cultivate inclusion.
A better world will not be built overnight. It will be built one voice, one act, and one volunteer at a time.
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