International Youth Day is celebrated annually on August 12th, focusing on empowering and nurturing the youth while recognizing their significant contributions to societal development. This day also brings attention to the challenges faced by young people globally. It is marked by various awareness campaigns, community concerts, and events that highlight socio-economic and socio-political issues impacting youth in every nation.
History of International Youth Day
The United Nations declared August 12th as International Youth Day in 1999, following a recommendation by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth in Lisbon on December 17, 1999. The inaugural celebration took place on August 12, 2000, and since then, the day has been dedicated to educating the public and fostering youth development.
The UN General Assembly began actively engaging with youth in 1965, promoting values of peace, respect for others, and intercultural understanding. This commitment to youth education and inspiration laid the groundwork for the establishment of International Youth Day.
Theme for 2024
Each year, International Youth Day focuses on a specific theme that underscores different facets of youth empowerment. For 2024, the chosen theme is ‘From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development’. This theme highlights the integral role of digitalization in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and emphasizes the vital contributions of young people in this transformative journey.
According to the UN, the theme addresses the link between digitalization and the acceleration of SDGs, highlighting the pivotal role of youth as ‘digital natives’. Young people are often at the forefront of adopting and innovating with new technologies, making them the largest demographic of users and developers shaping global digital trends. As the 2030 deadline for the SDGs approaches, youth remain a critical demographic group in harnessing the transformative power of technology to tackle global challenges.
The UN stated on its website, “While challenges such as the digital divide persist, young people are often considered ‘digital natives’, being at the forefront of adopting and innovating with new technologies. They form the largest demographic of users and developers shaping digital trends globally. As the 2030 deadline for the SDGs approaches, youth remain an essential demographic group in leveraging the transformative power of technologies to address global challenges.” This year’s celebration aims to honor and inspire youth contributions in the digital realm, fostering collaboration to achieve sustainable development goals.
Celebrating International Youth Day
Young people can celebrate International Youth Day by organizing conferences, seminars, concerts, workshops, cultural events, and meetings. These activities aim to motivate, educate, and honor the contributions of youth, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose in addressing global challenges and advancing sustainable development.