About SVA

A MOVEMENT FOR VOLUNTEERING

On the 22nd of February 2011, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake devastated Christchurch, New Zealand.

During the following month, 11,000 students volunteered 75,000 hours cleaning up liquefaction silt across the city. They were known as the Student Volunteer Army, and the SVA Foundation is their legacy.

Today, the SVA Foundation, lead by Sam Johnson, administers programmes aimed at developing a volunteering culture in New Zealand’s young people.

Building a Movement for Volunteering

The SVA is a movement committed to advancing volunteering in all the many ways that it happens. We believe in the power of volunteers and created this program as a way to better recognise volunteers in Aotearoa. We are always interested in your feedback.

We are a New Zealand registered charity and rely on donations and partnerships. Please get in touch with our Executive Director, Sam Johnson, if you would like to learn more about our partnership and gifting programme.

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Mobilising action towards the 17 Global Goals

For the first time in history, there is a globally agreed list of priorities that are called the Sustainable Development Goals or Global Goals. Each goal relies on actions of volunteers, and calls for long-term attitude and behaviour changes – for example, in the way we waste food or pollute the ocean with plastic.

Volunteers of every age facilitate changes in mindsets by raising awareness or championing changes and inspiring others.

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To end poverty in all its forms everywhere by 2030.

To end hunger, achieve food security, improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

To ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning.

To achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

To ensure access to safe water sources and sanitation for all.

To ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

To promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all.

Build good systems, use new ideas and make sure cities are ready for the future.

To reduce inequalities within and among countries.

To make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

To ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Taking urgent action to tackle climate change and its impacts.

To conserve and sustainably use the world’s oceans, seas and marine resources.

To sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.

Promote peace, justice and equality of people in different societies all around the world.

To revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

Learn more.

what schools are saying

This is perfect for our school. We have so many students who act as unpaid caregivers for grandparents and siblings at home. Ironically, this is often a barrier to producing a full CV of service related activities when it comes to completing applications for study or employment. The Service Record component of the Awards means our kids can be recognised for the work they actually do - exciting times

Vicki Cotton, Head of Careers – Sacred Heart Girls’ High School

We are currently undergoing an awards review in our school to explore how we can make this more accessible and visible across all year levels so this will be fabulous.

Chris Jordan, Assistant Principal, Greenbay High School

“Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. When you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in”.

― Dr Syed Muhammad Zeeshan Hussain Almashhadi

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