12nd August: International Youth Day

International Youth Day is celebrated on August 12 each year. It was proclaimed by the United Nations in 1999, in response to the growing importance of young people in the global landscape and to highlight the significant contribution they make to society in various areas.

The main objective of this day is to promote awareness of the challenges and issues facing young people around the world and to recognize their role as agents of positive change in their communities and in the global arena. It also seeks to foster dialogue and collaboration between young people and governments, civil society, international organizations and other actors to address issues affecting youth.

Major obstacles facing young people today

Today’s youth face a number of obstacles and challenges that affect their well-being and development. Some of the main obstacles facing young people include:

Unemployment and precarious employment: young people often find it difficult to access stable and well-paying jobs, which can affect their financial independence.

Inaccessible quality education: access to quality education may be limited for economic, geographic or social reasons. High tuition fees, lack of adequate infrastructure and scarce resources can make it difficult to access a complete education.

Economic crises and inequality: economic crises and socioeconomic inequality can disproportionately affect young people, leaving them in vulnerable situations and limiting their opportunities for development.

Mental health problems: young people can face high levels of stress, anxiety and depression due to various social, academic and personal pressures.

The focus of this day

Each year, International Youth Day is celebrated with a specific theme that reflects the concerns and aspirations of young people at that time. Events and activities are organized around the world, such as conferences, workshops, competitions, awareness campaigns and community service projects to engage young people and give them a platform to express their ideas and opinions.

Topics that have been addressed in previous years include education, youth employment, social inclusion, mental health, gender equality, youth political participation and environmental sustainability among others. These issues are crucial to empowering young people and ensuring that their voices are heard in contributing to a more just and sustainable world.

International Youth Day is an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the potential of youth as a driving force for social change and to remind leaders and society at large of the importance of supporting and promoting the rights and aspirations of young people around the world.