International youth day

United Nations International Youth Day 2018

The United Nations’ (UN) International Youth Day is held annually on August 12 to celebrate the achievements of the world’s youth and to encourage their participation in enhancing society.

International youth day

The UN defines the worlds’ youth as the age group between 15 and 24 years old, making up one-sixth of the human population. The idea for International Youth Day was proposed in 1991 by young people who were gathered in Vienna, Austria, for the first session of the UN’s World Youth Forum.

[World Youth Skills Day]

The forum recommended that an International Youth Day be declared, especially for fundraising and promotional purposes, to support the United Nations Youth Fund in partnership with youth organizations.

In 1998 a resolution proclaiming August 12 as International Youth Day was adopted during the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth. That recommendation was later endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 1999. International Youth Day was first observed in 2000.

The theme for 2018 International Youth Day is Safe Spaces for Youth.

The theme is about enabling youth have safe spaces where they can come together, engage in activities related to their diverse needs and interests, participate in decision making processes and freely express themselves

The importance of Including the Youth in the Society

According to the UN, young people’s inclusion in the peace and security agenda and in society more broadly is key to building and sustaining peace. The process of social inclusion for youth, including participation in decision-making as well as access to quality education, health care, and basic services promotes their role as active contributors to society and affords young people with opportunities to reach their potential and achieve their goals.

When youth are excluded from political, economic and social spheres and processes, it can be a risk factor for violence and violent forms of conflict. Therefore, identifying and addressing the social exclusion of young people is a precondition for sustaining peace.

The current generation of youth are the largest in history and young people often comprise the majority in countries marked by armed conflict or unrest, therefore considering the needs and aspirations of youth in matters of peace and security is a demographic imperative.

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