Young people around the world are now participating in a variety of events, conferences and activities designed to engage them in discussions on current global issues and promote youth-led initiatives. To mark the occasion, Sputnik Africa takes a look at when International Youth Day was established and why it is important.
History of International Youth Day
It was established by the United Nations General Assembly on December 17, 1999 (Resolution 54/120) at the proposal of the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth, held in Lisbon from August 8 to 12, 1998. The first International Youth Day was celebrated on August 12, 2000.
The Conference recommended that promotional activities be organized in support of the Day to raise awareness, particularly among young people, of the World Program of Action for Youth, adopted by the Assembly in 1995.
How Youth Celebrates
The UN organizes an annual virtual commemoration of the Day. The organization also encourages youth all over the globe to arrange activities to raise awareness about the situation of young people and youth empowerment in their countries.
Many events are organized on this day, including public meetings and debates on young people's contributions to global issues, adult-youth roundtable discussions to promote intergenerational understanding, youth forums to exchange ideas and discuss cultural backgrounds, concerts, exhibitions, and more.
Youth Playing Decisive Role
The world today is home to a record number of young people - half of the world's population is 30 years old or younger, and that number is expected to reach 57% by the end of 2030.
The World Youth Report 2020 estimates that there are 1.21 billion young people between the ages of 15 and 24, representing 15.5% of the world's population. By 2030, the youth is projected to reach 1.29 billion people, and by 2050 - nearly 1.34 billion.
While youth make up a quarter of the global workforce, they account for half of the unemployed. Labor markets are struggling to provide stable employment with good prospects for young people, except for highly skilled workers.
Political instability, volatility in the labor market, and limited opportunities for youth participation in political and social life lead to increasing youth isolation. According to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the situation of children and young people around the world must change because the future of the planet depends on them.
He called on the international community to recognize the interdependence between generations and address age-related issues together by raising young people's awareness of existing problems, risks and ways to address them.
"Humanity depends on the boundless energy, ideas and contributions of youth everywhere. Today and every day, let’s support and stand with young people in shaping a just and sustainable world, for people and planet," he said.
Sustainable Future and Green Skills
In 2023, the theme of International Youth Day is "Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World." The issue of climate change and ways of tackling its devastating effects has recently risen to the top of the global agenda. Nations are now embarking on a green transition, the success of which depends directly on the development of green skills among the world's population.
According to the UN, green skills or skills for the future are "knowledge, abilities, values and attitudes needed to live in, develop and support a sustainable and resource-efficient society." In particular, these include technical knowledge that enables the effective use of green technologies and processes in professional activities, and other skills that enable environmentally sustainable decision-making in work and life.
Green skills are relevant to people of all ages, but they are especially important for younger generations, who will contribute to the green transition and a sustainable future for the planet in the long term.