United Nations: The world will celebrate International Youth Day (IYD) on 12th August which will highlight the cultural and legal issues surrounding youth. International Youth Day recognizes the contributions of young people to prevent conflict, supporting inclusion, social justice and sustain peace. The UN secretary general Antonio Guterres wished everyone for upcoming Youth Day.
The UN observed first IYD on 12th August 2000, since then many nations have celebrated this occasion as marking a day for the young ones of their nation. This day gives an opportunity for governments and others to draw attention to youth issues worldwide. During IYD; concerts, workshops, cultural events, and meetings involving national and local government officials and youth organizations take place around the world.
UN Chief Guterres ahead of IYD said, the hopes of the world rest on young people. Peace, economic dynamism, social justice, tolerance – all this and more, today and tomorrow, depends on tapping into the power of youth.
Young women and girls are vulnerable the world’s young people need safe spaces — public, civic, physical and digital spaces where they can freely express their views and pursue their dreams. We must invest so that young people have access to education, training and decent jobs to achieve their full potential, he added.
According to a report more than 400 million young women and men live amidst armed conflict or organized violence. Millions face deprivation, harassment, bullying and other infringements of their rights.
IYD was designated by the United Nations in 1999 with the adoption of Resolution 54/120. International Youth Day’s Slogan for 2014 was Youth and Mental Health. For 2015, it was Youth and Civic Engagement. The theme of the 2016 International Youth Day was “The Road to 2030: Eradicating Poverty and Achieving Sustainable Consumption and Production.” For 2017, the theme of IYD was “Youth Building Peace”. This year the theme is ‘Save spaces for youth’.
