Celebrated on August 12 every year, the International Youth Day draws attention to various issues related to youth all over the world. This day is an opportunity to help young people cultivate an awareness of how they can contribute to their communities. The theme for this year’s celebrations is sustainability and eradication of poverty. According to the theme, the youth will be encouraged to play a major part in the eradication of poverty by 2030.
The historical perspective
The United Nations declared August 12 as the International Youth Day in 1999. The IYD focuses on the requirements of young people at various levels helping them to grow into globally responsible citizens. Young people have the right to education, employment opportunities and adequate healthcare. In a message to world leaders, Irina Bokova, UNESCO’s Director General stressed the importance of giving a voice to young people and to support their initiatives. The goal of the International Youth Day is to galvanize the youth into becoming agents for positive change. The UN recognizes that young people have energy, foresight, creativity and innovation and governments must harness this to build a better world future.
How do they celebrate it?
Various activities are organized on the occasion of International Youth Day. These are designed to promote the benefits of the talents of young people. Everyone is encouraged to organize and participate in seminars, programs and events from a local to international level. Workshops, cultural performances and sports activities are organized to celebrate this day.
Special Programs held around the world or in a region
Organizations like World Youth plan to have flash mob to celebrate International Youth Day. In Russia, the gas energy sector is including Youth Day celebrations in their annual summit in St. Petersburg. Young people will be encouraged to participate to gain knowledge about the gas industry. They will be helped to find out career opportunities, enhance communication skills and develop leadership skills. All these activities are planned so that young people can chalk out a route to personal growth. They can also meet leaders in the energy sector and can make important contacts for the future.
In other parts of the world, various activities are planned for the youth to celebrate this all important day with their families and friends. Young people having learning disabilities are also encouraged to participate. The message of International Youth Day is impressed upon the youth via the medium of sports and music concerts.
How people prepare for it
The International Youth Day focuses on how the youth can understand and participate in activities relevant to the theme of sustainability and eradication of poverty. Gifting books which help the youth to build their confidence and increase knowledge is a good way to support the day. Books provide vital information about all aspects of life which is necessary for the all-round growth of an individual. Personal growth can empower the youth to contribute to their communities and also at a global level.
Governments and other organizations working for the benefit of young people organize workshops to increase the knowledge of recycling. Recycling should be practiced by everyone today to reduce their carbon footprint. The future generation has to understand how to convert waste into useful material, as resources are being depleted at an alarming rate.
Activities like watching movies which portray the power of youth in order to inspire them, organizing interesting plays and debates are other ways in which people prepare for Youth Day.