Resources for Indigenous Youth

• Internship at the Indigenous Peoples and Development Branch – Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

Internships are available at the Indigenous Peoples and Development Branch – Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues/DISD/DESA.

Please review the instructions and fill out an application form. Click here to go to the United Nations Headquarters, New York Internship Programme.

Read the instructions carefully, check if there is a vacancy and apply for an internship with the Internship Programme.

• UN Volunteers Program

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. UNV works with partners to integrate qualified, highly motivated and well supported UN Volunteers into development programming and promote the value and global recognition of volunteerism. Find out more here

Junior Professionals are recruited through the Young professionals programme (YPP). The YPP is a recruitment initiative that brings new talent to the United Nations through an annual entrance examination. For young, high-calibre professionals across the globe, the examination is a platform for launching a career at the United Nations. This programme builds upon the national competitive recruitment examination (NCRE) which was held for the last time in 2010.

For more information on the Young Professionals Programme please visit:
https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=NCE

The aim of this OHCHR programme is to give Indigenous Peoples the opportunity to gain knowledge on the UN system and mechanisms dealing with human rights in general and Indigenous issues in particular so they can assist their organizations and communities in protecting and promoting the rights of their people. In its first decade, more than 100 Indigenous men and women from 46 countries undertook the programme. They provided human rights training to many more in their communities. Click here for more information.

UN Resolutions and Recommendations

• Adolescent-friendly UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples -  The Declaration explains how the rights of Indigenous Peoples – including Indigenous young people – are to be protected by governments around the world. It applies to Indigenous Peoples as individuals and as a group. Indigenous young people were actively involved in the development of UNDRIP and they are working hard to make sure governments implement it. Download Publication (English)
• Convention on the Rights of the Child: The Children's Version
• Committee on the Rights of the Child: General comment No. 26 (2023) on children’s rights and the environment with a special focus on climate change (CRC/C/GC/26)
• Convention on the Rights of the Child: General Comment No.11 on Indigenous Children and their Rights under the Convention (2009) 
• Compilation of UNPFII Recommendations on Indigenous Children and Youth

Other Resources

• Speak Up! Info on Indigenous Youth participation at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues 
• OHCHR E-learning tool on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 

• UN Youth2030 Pulse Newsletter is a dedicated monthly newsletter for youth, focused on providing a single channel dedicated exclusively to compiling and streamlining youth-relevant updates from across the UN system. The newsletter will include updates on: jobs, opportunities, events, tools, resources, campaigns and news. Sign up here

• PGA Youth Fellows Podcast - In this newly-launched podcast series, follow the President of the General Assembly Fellows to dive into insightful conversations with UN and government officials working on solutions to address global challenges. PGA Youth Fellows Podcast | General Assembly of the United Nations

• UNICEF Voices of Youth - Tools for Young Climate Activists -  Developed by young activists, young designers and UNICEF experts, the Climate Action for Youth series will provide you with the knowledge, tools, and resources to participate in global youth climate action and advocate for change. 

• Navigating International Meetings - A Pocketbook Guide to Effective Youth Participation

• UN for Kids 

• IMF 2023 Youth Fellowship Program 

The IMF Youth Fellowship Program (YFP) provides an opportunity for young leaders between 20 and 35 years of age from across the world to become part of global efforts to build forward better and join the IMF at the forefront of the response to global economic challenges. IMF YFP is looking for youth fellows who want to contribute to the IMF’s efforts to build more resilient and inclusive growth for all, particularly for young people. As part of the program, the selected youth fellows will attend in-person workshops led by IMF management, senior IMF staff, and external experts. They will also have access to Annual Meetings seminars and events in Marrakech. For more info and to apply click here.

• WIPO Indigenous Fellowship Program

Since 2009, when the WIPO Indigenous Fellowship Program was launched, members of Indigenous and local communities have worked in WIPO’s Traditional Knowledge Division on issues relevant to Indigenous Peoples. These include:

• WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC);
• Outreach to Indigenous Peoples;
• WIPO’s cooperation with the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Learn more and apply here

• UNESCO Aotearoa Youth Leaders

UNESCO Aotearoa Youth Leaders serve as advisors, negotiating inclusive ways for young people to be engaged and empowered in the National Commission’s priority and programme areas.

As UNESCO ambassadors and change agents, the youth leaders work to build UNESCO’s profile and identify where they can drive, support and collaborate with organisations, networks and initiatives that align with UNESCO’s mandate.

UNESCO Aotearoa Youth Leaders serve for two years. The next round of UNESCO Aotearoa Youth Leaders applications will open in November 2023.

• Arctic Council Internships

The Arctic Council regularly posts information on internship opportunities here.

• Australian Government - Indigenous Traineeships and Apprenticeships

There are a number of Traineeship or Apprenticeship programs available across the Australian Public Service, which provide Indigenous Australians with the necessary skills, knowledge and a pathway to a career. Find out more here

• Indigenous Leaders Conservation Fellowship

The Indigenous Leaders Conservation Fellowship focuses on supporting Indigenous peoples and elevating their voices in the dialogue around climate resilience and conservation. The fellowship offers individualized support to fellows, in an effort to enhance and expand leadership, as well as to provide learning opportunities and connections for personal and professional development. Find out more here

• Indigenous Youth Fellowships - Cultural Survival

Cultural Survival's Indigenous Youth Fellowship Program supports young Indigenous leaders between the ages of 17-28, who are eager to learn about technology, program development, journalism, community radio, media, and Indigenous Peoples’ rights advocacy. Fellowships have allowed youth to build capacities in Indigenous rights, Indigenous languages, cultures, and Traditional Knowledge, and is an opportunity to assist fellows to represent the voices of their communities and bring awareness of local issues to global conversations through their proposed projects while strengthening their cultural identities and leadership. 

• DOCIP Internships and Volunteering Opportunities

Indigenous Peoples Centre for Documentation, Research and Information (DOCIP) welcomes volunteers from around the world, and offers them a unique and satisfying opportunity to use their knowledge and experience to support both Indigenous delegates during U.N. Conferences, or at their office in Geneva. Find out more here.

• Pacific Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) Network and Internship Programme

Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) are tomorrow’s leaders for healthy and sustainable oceans. PCCOS created the Pacific ECOP Network in 2021, mobilising and connecting Pacific ECOPs working in various sectors across the region. Find out more here.

• YECAP Indigenous Fellowship

The Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform (YECAP) Indigenous Fellowship is a six-month comprehensive regional Indigenous youth-led Fellowship Programme in partnership with Asia Indigenous Youth Platform (AIYP) and offered by the convening partners of the Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform (YECAP), to train Indigenous young leaders across Asia to ensure the demands of the Indigenous youth communities for climate action in a meaningful youth engagement in climate action. 

Find out more and apply here

• Udall Foundation Internships and Graduate Programs 

The Udall Foundation’s programs promote leadership, education, collaboration, and conflict resolution in the areas of environment, public lands, and natural resources in order to strengthen Native nations, assist federal agencies and others to resolve environmental conflicts, and to encourage the continued use and appreciation of the US' rich resources. For more info, click here.

• United Nations Foundation Internship

The UN Foundation is always looking for passionate changemakers to contribute to their mission to help the UN drive global progress. A UN Foundation intern plays a critical role in supporting the Foundation's work. Find out more here.

• US-NZ Youth Council

The U.S. Embassy in New Zealand is pleased to announce the 2023 Youth Council Program. The Youth Council will address topics of importance to both New Zealand and the United States and will be a forum for students to learn more about International Relations and the U.S. in general. For more info, click here.

• Canadian Indigenous Students Portal

Powered by Indigenous.Link, this highly specialized education portal is fully-dedicated to assisting Indigenous Students in researching and acquiring educational opportunities. Training resources, skill development, scholarship opportunities, and internships make this site ideal for Indigenous Students in all stages of their education. Students.Indigenous.Link provides some of the best Indigenous Student opportunities in Canada. See opportunities and postings here.