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International Youth Day is celebrated every year on 12 August. It was first celebrated on 12 August 2000 to bring the world’s attention to several issues associated with the youth. The responsibility of the country and the nation lies on the shoulders of the youth. As developing individuals, youth possess the potential, creativity, and capacity to bring change to the world through their modern and innovative way of thinking. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), is the authoritative body that works for the youth of the nation and participates in the overall development of their societies.
| Name of the day | International Youth Day |
| Observed on | 12 August |
| Reason | To acknowledge and celebrate the important role of the youth in creating and leading a better world. |
Table of Contents
History of International Youth Day
The youth of the nation thinks out of the box and their thinking and innovative imagination should be used for the betterment of the nation. UNESCO works for the development of youth in every sector and eradicates poverty and inequality so that the nation can walk towards a culture of peace.
- The idea of International Youth Day was proposed in the year 1991 at the World Youth Forum of the UN.
- It is basically celebrated to acknowledge the role of youth in the development of the Nation.
- The UN General Assembly accepted the request made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998) that 12 August will be designated as International Youth Day in its resolution 54/120 on 17 December 1999.
Also Read: World Youth Skills Day 2024- History & Significance
What is the Theme of International Youth Day in 2024?
Every year, a particular theme is decided for celebrating and focusing on International Youth Day. UNESCO focuses majorly on illiteracy, poverty, and child labor. In 2024, the theme is, “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development.”
Here are the themes for the previous International Youth Days:
| Year | Theme |
| 2023 | Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World |
| 2022 | Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health |
| 2021 | Intergenerational solidarity: Creating a world for all ages |
Also Read: World Day Against Child Labour 2024- History & Significance
Significance of International Youth Day
Here are a few important points highlighting the significance of International Youth Day:
- It highlights the importance of considering the youth of the country in accelerating economic and social progress.
- This important day aims to address issues related to the young generation such as education, mental health, and employment.
- International Youth Day also encourages people across the world to come together and share their ideas and concerns.
- It aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals by simply highlighting the role of our youth in achieving a more sustainable future.
Also Read: World Athletics Day 2024: History, Theme, Significance
What to do for International Youth Day?
Here are a few creative ways in which you can celebrate International Youth Day with your friends.
- Attend an International Youth Day event like concerts and parades with your loved ones.
- Find new courses or mentorship opportunities to increase the knowledge and skills of the next generation.
- Plan an internal meeting or group discussion related to the topics revolving around this important day.
- You can also watch TEDx videos to get inspiration and motivation from some of the most talented people on this planet.
International Youth Day Quotes
Mentioned below are some quotes on International Youth Day:
- “Dream, Dream, Dream. Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts result in action.” – APJ Abdul Kalam “Dream, Dream, Dream. Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts result in action.” – APJ Abdul Kalam
- “You are only young once, and if you work it right, once is enough.” – Joe Lewis
- “The duty of the youth is to change corruption.” – Aristotle
- “Good habits formed in youth make all difference.”- Aristotle
- “That’s where the future lies, in the youth of today.”-Willie Stargell
Statistics Around Youth
- People between age 15-24 are considered youth
- 1/6th of the world population is youth
- The idea was first proposed in 1991 to celebrate International Youth Day
- 77% of today’s youth is informally employed
- 2/3 of the youth in the developing countries are unable to fulfill their economic potential
- 126 million youth could not read or write a sentence in 2011
Related Blogs
| National Youth Day | International Day of Acceptance |
| World Athletics Day | International Malala Day |
| International Customs Day | International Day of UN Peacekeepers |
FAQs
Ans: Every year the world celebrates International Youth Day on 12 August.
Ans: IYD is celebrated to discuss and focus on problems related to the development of the youth community. As the youth of the nation are the building blocks emphasizing their issues related to illiteracy, poverty, lack of work, lack of skills, etc is very important. So, this day is dedicated to focusing on such issues.
Ans: IYD is basically an awareness day designated by the UN. UNESCO works for the IYD. The idea of IYD was presented by a group of youth assembled in Vienna, Austria in 1991, for the inaugural session of the United Nations System’s World Youth Forum.
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