International Youth Day

The day 12th of August is celebrated as International Youth Day in appreciation of the contributions made by youngsters around the globe. International Youth Day is observed to give a platform to the voices of the youth. The day brings out youth issues to the attention of international communities. The first International Youth Day was observed on 12 August 2000.

In 2021, the day was celebrated focusing on the contribution of youth during the period of the pandemic. The United Nations acknowledged the youth as frontiers who struggled along with others to build a better future ahead.

Youths are the symbol of prosperity but they face different challenges in this world which are barriers to prosperity. To mainstream young peoples’ voices, actions, and initiatives and their equitable engagement, the UN General Assembly came up with initiatives and started making efforts to impact the youth in 1965.

Why is International Youth Day Celebrated?

Youths of today are the symbols of tomorrow’s upcoming leaders. International Youth Day is celebrated in terms to emphasize the rights young people should have when it comes to education, health and care, employment, monetary services, expression and freedom of opinion, and complete participation in public life. The highlights and celebrates the contribution of youths to the development of society. They bring positive change around the world as they are catalysts to peace and prosperity and have the potential to make changes around them. Their joint efforts are taking the world towards a better future. On international youth day, we increase awareness of youth power and give our youth the opportunities and access to change the world according to their better thought.

A need for free and safe spaces has been felt throughout the globe among the youths in the course to come along and participate in activities as per their diverse interests. There needs to be accommodation of civic, digital, and public spaces where youths can engage themselves and put forward their opinions and thoughts with the right of freedom of expression.

Themes of International Youth Day Throughout Previous Years:

• In 2017, the theme of International Youth Day was “Youth Building Peace”
• In 2018, the theme of International Youth Day was ” Safe Spaces for Youth”
• In 2019, the theme of International Youth Day was “Transforming Education”
• In 2020, the theme of International Youth Day was “Youth Engagement for Global Action”
• In 2021, the theme of International Youth Day was “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”

Significance of Celebrating International Youth Day

The major benefit which can be marked by the observation of this day is that it will increase the engagement of youths in governance issues and policies of a particular nation or issues being raised globally in terms of international relations.

In the public sphere, the involvement of youths will develop different communities associated with the common interests shared between them whether it be sports, literature, arts, and so on. 

Background of International Youth Day

The International Youth Day is a product of an International Policy which was proposed from 1965 to 1975 by the United Nations General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council with a focus on themes like participation, development, and peace of the youth around the globe.

The day was first celebrated on August 12, 2000, to educate the society, mobilize politics and manage resources.