Basic Information
International Youth Day is an annual event observed on 12 August to draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding youth
Observed on: August 12
Organized by: UN, UNESCO
Introduced in: 1999
Observed: Worldwide
About International Youth Day
International Youth Day is observed every year on 12 August. It is observed as an awareness day designated by the United Nations.
Youth day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly on 17 December 1999 with adoption of Resolution 54/120. The decision was come with the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998) that 12 August be declared International Youth Day. The first International Youth Day was observed on 12 August 2000.
The day is observing to draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding youth.
Activities and Programs on International Youth Day
On this day programs are conducted by Governments and other organizations to draw attention to youth issues worldwide.
Other programs like concerts, workshops, cultural events, and meetings involving national and local government officials and youth organizations take place around the world.
Programs are arranged to spread the theme and message for the particular observation. It also sees the ways to engage youth in becoming more actively involved in making positive contributions to their communities.
Youth conferences, various sporting events, parades and mobile exhibitions that showcase young people’s achievements are also conducting on this day. Discussions and information campaigns will take place on this day across the world, to encourage governments and general public to understand the needs of young people, to implement policies to help them overcome the challenges they face, and to help young people into the decision making process.
UN declares a theme for every year that communicates the scope, direction, and objectives of the year’s youth initiatives. Theme for 2014 is “Mental Health Matters”. To promote this theme and awareness United Nations is running a campaign from 12 June 2014 until International Youth Day on 12 August 2014. The main objective of the campaign is to draw awareness to the importance of reducing stigma surrounding youth with mental health conditions.
General public also promoting this campaign through social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. They are also sharing their and others experiences through artwork, illustrations, short videos, photos and/or short stories.
Many organize programs on Youth Day in their community, school, youth club and workplace. The UN offers resources like promotional material, ideas for events, training material etc. through its subsidiary agencies as well as its website, for independent entities world over to celebrate the day.
Theme for International Youth Day
International Youth Day 2020 Theme is “Youth Engagement for Global Action”
International Youth Day 2019 Theme was “Transforming Education”
Youth Day 2018 Theme was “Safe Spaces for Youth“
IYD 2017 Theme was “Youth Building Peace“
2016 Theme: The Road to 2030: Eradicating Poverty and Achieving Sustainable Consumption and Production
2015 Theme: Youth and Civic Engagement
2014 Theme: Mental Health Matters
2013 Theme: Youth Migration: Moving Development Forward
2012 Theme: Building a Better World: Partnering with Youth
2011 Theme: Change Our World
2010 Theme: Dialogue and Mutual Understanding
2009 Theme: Sustainability: Our Challenge. Our Future
2008 Theme: Youth and Climate Change: Time for Action
2007 Theme: Be seen, Be heard: Youth Participation for Development
2006 Theme: Tackling Poverty Together
2005 Theme: WPAY+10: Making Commitments Matter
2004 Theme: Youth in an Intergenerational Society
2003 Theme: Finding Decent Productive Work for Young People Everywhere
2002 Theme: Now and for the Future: Youth Action for Sustainable Development
2001 Theme: Addressing Health and Unemployment