International Youth Day - Celebrate!

Today is the International Youth Day - celebrate it along with the international community!

Each year, it is celebrated on August 12 to recognise efforts of the world's youth in enhancing global society. It also aims to promote ways to engage them in becoming more actively involved in making positive contributions to their communities.

How you can celebrate the day?

• Team up! It is a great opportunity to rally support and get key actors involved - Governments, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, businesses, and young people - to focus on what has been done to further the World Programme of Action for Youth.

• Organise! Hold forums, public discussions and information campaigns in support of young people focusing on youth issues and how they can be addressed.

• Celebrate! Plan and organise performances everywhere to showcase - and celebrate - the fact that youth contribute to the societies in which they live. Convene exchanges and dialogues focusing on the rich and varied skills, interests and aspirations of young people.

• Take action! A major focus of the Day is practical action to further encourage the empowerment and participation of youth in the processes and decisions that affect their lives. The media have especially important role to play in support of the observance of the Day to promote public awareness of youth issues.

Background

The UN General Assembly (December 17, 1999) declared 12 August the International Youth Day. The Assembly recommended that public information activities be organised to support the Day as a way to promote better awareness of the World Programme of Action for Youth.