International Youth Day: Significance, History and Theme and Initiative by Government

When will be International Youth Day?

Our carefree and impressionable years do not continue forever. Unluckily, a lot of children around the world struggle and have restricted access to necessary supplies that could help them have a better future. On August 12, International Youth Day, we recognize these issues that young people face.
Youth: Who Are They?

The term "youth age group" has no broadly accepted international definition. However, the United Nations defines "youth" for statistical purposes as anyone between the ages of 15 and 24, without regard to any other classifications provided by the Member States.

The UN General Assembly adopted this term in its resolution 36/28 of 1981, which emerged in the framework of plans for the International Youth Year (1985) (see A/36/215).

This concept serves as the foundation for all UN data on youth, as shown by the annual yearbooks of statistics that the UN system publishes on demography, education, employment, and health.
What is International Youth Day and Its Significance?

Every year on August 12, people all across the world celebrate International Youth Day. It is a day set aside by the UN to raise awareness of and focus on issues related to youth culture and law.

Additionally, International Youth Day honors and celebrates the achievements made by young people all throughout the world. The purpose of International Youth Day is to elevate the voices, deeds, and mainstream activities of young people. This includes their genuine, inclusive, and equal participation.

Recognizing the value of young people's involvement in political, economic, and social lives and processes is one of the day's objectives.

Along with highlighting cultural and legal issues affecting children, International Kids Day honors the achievements of youth around the world in advancing society at large. The day also encourages a number of ways to encourage kids to give back to their communities.
International Youth Day: History

The United Nations General Assembly started working actively to influence youngsters in 1965. They agreed with the Declaration on Promoting the Ideals of Peace, Mutual Respect, and Understanding amongst Peoples Among Youth.

Through the identification of emerging leaders and the provision of resources to help them address the needs of the world, they started committing time and resources to empower the youth.

International Youth Day was established when the UN General Assembly approved the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth's recommendation on December 17, 1999. Since the initial celebration on August 12, 2000, the day has been used to inform the public. Engage young people in politics and coordinate resources to tackle world issues.
Themes of International Youth Day:

World-Youth-Day The theme of International Youth Day over the years –
  • International Youth Day 2023 theme is "Green Skills for Youth: Towards A Sustainable World"
  • International Youth Day 2022 theme was "Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages."
  • "Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health" served as the theme of International Youth Day in 2021.
  • The 2020 edition of International Youth Day used the theme "Youth Engagement for Global Action."
  • International Youth Day's theme for 2019 was "Transforming education" to make education inclusive and accessible for all youth.
  • "Safe Spaces for Youth" served as the theme of International Youth Day in 2018.
  • International Youth Day's theme for 2017 was "Youth Building Peace".
  • International Youth Day's theme for 2016 was “The Road to 2030: Eradicating Poverty and Achieving Sustainable Consumption and Production."
  • International Youth Day's theme for 2015 was Youth and Civic Engagement.
  • International Youth Day's theme for 2014 was Youth and Mental Health.
State of Youth in The World:

State of the World's Youth: There are 1.2 billion young people in the world today, or 16% of the entire population, who are between the ages of 15 and 24. The number of young people is anticipated to increase by 7% to roughly 1.3 billion by 2030—the deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that make up the 2030 Agenda.

The need to address the various issues faced by young people (such as access to education, health, employment, and gender equality) has grown more important than ever since youth are increasingly demanding more just, equitable, and progressive chances and solutions in their society.

When given the information and opportunities necessary for success, youth can be a force for positive development. The education and skills that young people need to participate in a productive economy should be especially prioritized, and they should have access to a job market that will accept them into the labor force.
SDG 4 and Youth: Quality Education

For all young people, access to education is a fundamental right. The creation of opportunities for lifelong learning for everyone is a requirement of Sustainable Development Goal 4, along with inclusive and equitable quality education. In order to do this, there must be a determined effort to guarantee that both young men and women have access to quality education that is free and equal as well as to possibilities for specialized training.

According to the most recent statistics, there are significant educational differences around the world, making secondary education for all a flimsy ambition for many, especially those in impoverished countries.

To successfully transition into the workforce and find decent work, access to inclusive and equitable quality education is crucial. It is also necessary for achieving numerous Sustainable Development Goals. Affordable technical, vocational, and postsecondary education that equips young people with useful skills for work and business should be provided in addition to high-quality basic and secondary education.
SDG 8 and Youth: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The need for decent work is placed within the context of Sustainable Development Goal 8. Young people have found it difficult and challenging to overcome the problems of underemployment, unemployment, and poor job quality. The global youth unemployment rate was 13% in 2017. Young people are three times as likely as adults to be unemployed.

Young people are frequently employed in low-paying, unstable, or unofficial jobs. For young people who are vulnerable and marginalized, such as young women, those who live in humanitarian settings, young people with disabilities, young people who are migrants, and young people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, the challenges of finding and keeping decent work are even more serious and complex.
Challenges to Harnessing India's Youth's True Potential:

India faces a number of difficulties in utilizing its sizable youth population. Our nation's underfunded educational system is unable to give students the skills they need to take full advantage of new job prospects. The learning outcomes have been much more impacted by the closure of schools during COVID-19

Young women are prevented from working and, as a result, from reaching their full potential by a number of problems, including child marriage, gender-based violence, human trafficking, and workplace sexual assaults.

Jobless Growth is the main challenge the nation is currently facing. This is so because India's GDP is primarily contributed by the non-labor-intensive service sector.

The productivity of India's youth in achieving their potential is hindered by socioeconomic factors like poverty, malnutrition, stunting in children, high rates of anemia in teenage girls, poor sanitation, etc.
Governmental Initiatives to Address Issues of Youth:

The Indian government has introduced a number of programs to address the issues and difficulties that our youth are facing. A few of them include
  • Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana
  • National Youth Policy-2014
  • Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006
  • National Health Mission (NHM)
  • National Career Service
  • Generation Unlimited in India (YuWaah)


National Health Mission  Youth Day  International Youth Day 2022 Significance   Initiative for youth by Government   Who is Youth   Significance of International Youth Day   History of International Youth Day   Themes of International Youth Day 2022   International Youth Day   national Youth day  


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