International Youth Day 2024, Date, History and Significance

International Youth Day, celebrated annually on 12 August, is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the issues affecting young people around the world. Established by the United Nations in 2000, the day serves to highlight the contributions of youth to global society and to address the challenges they face. The purpose of the day is to draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding youth. The first International Youth Day was observed on 12 August 2000. It’s an initiative that honors the traits of young people and that acknowledges the challenges that today’s fledging youth face.

International Youth Day Theme for 2024

From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development.

Digitalization is transforming our world, offering unprecedented opportunities to accelerate sustainable development. Digital technologies such as mobile devices, services, and artificial intelligence are instrumental in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Data generated from digital interactions supports evidence-based decision-making. By celebrating the digital contributions of youth, we can inspire further innovation and collaboration towards achieving sustainable development.

International Youth Day Historical origins

United Nations General Assembly Resolution:

• The idea for International Youth Day emerged from the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth held in Lisbon, Portugal, in 1998.
• During this conference, participants emphasized the need for a global day to focus on youth issues and to highlight the positive contributions of young people to society.

Resolution Adoption:

The concept of International Youth Day originated in 1991 during the inaugural session of the World Youth Forum of the United Nations System, held in Vienna, Austria. Young people at the forum proposed the idea as a means to raise funds and awareness in support of the United Nations Youth Fund, in collaboration with youth organizations.

In 1998, the first session of the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth took place in Lisbon, Portugal, from August 8 to 12.

• During this conference, a resolution was adopted that officially designated August 12 as International Youth Day.
• This recommendation was later endorsed by the General Assembly in its fifty-fourth session through Resolution A/RES/54/120 titled “Policies and programs involving youth” on December 17, 1999.

The General Assembly’s resolution also suggested the organization of public information initiatives to promote awareness of the World Programme of Action for Youth, which had been adopted by the Assembly in 1996.

International Youth Day Significance

It focuses on building a better world for our youth.

International Youth Day does more than simply encouraging kids directly. It also lays out a set of priorities to focus on creating positive improvements in children’s lives.

It raises awareness about poverty

Many children go to bed hungry each night, or head to school in the morning without a nutritious breakfast, million kids live in food insecure-homes, which means that they and their families don’t have access to enough nutritious food to lead healthy lives. Children in many countries around the world face similar hardships, and many can find themselves trapped in a cycle of poverty that is difficult to break free from as they grow into adults. The more aware we are of these issues, the faster we can work together to help eradicate them.

It encourages creative thinking for a better future

International Youth Day’s list of actionable priorities encourages others to think about specific things they can do to make a noticeable difference in kids’ lives. In recent writings about International Youth Day, the UN has put a strong focus on reducing pollution, sustainably using local products and services so they’ll remain available for the next generation and ensuring as many communities as possible will have access to resources. Naming such ambitious — but doable — goals serve as inspiration for all of us to think hard about efficient steps we can take to make them happen.

In summary

International Youth Day was established to recognize and promote the role of young people in society, address their challenges, and celebrate their contributions. It has evolved over the years to become a significant global observance that highlights youth issues and encourages active participation and advocacy.

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