Tag: International Youth Day

International Youth Day 2021: Why Most Mauritian Youths Are Plumping On Online Businesses

Today is observed as International Youth Day. Elaborating on the significance of the youth in determining the future of society, this article explores the entrepreneurial pursuits of young Mauritians.

Every year, the International Youth Day is based on a theme. This year’s theme is “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”. I picked a specific aspect of them: how the youths work to sustain human and planetary health innovation. The UN’s website states, “Through youth education, engagement, innovation, and entrepreneurial solutions, this year’s International Youth Day aims to provide a platform for young people to continue the momentum from the ECOSOC Youth Forum in the lead up to the high-level Food Systems Summit.” Since the pandemic has hit the world, food systems and all economic and social aspects have faced slack.

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International Youth Day 2019: Concept Note on “Transforming Education”

The theme of International Youth Day 2019, “Transforming education”, highlights efforts to make education more relevant, equitable and inclusive for all youth, including efforts by youth themselves.

Rooted in Goal 4 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” – International Youth Day 2019 will examine how Governments, young people and youth-led and youth-focused organizations, as well as other stakeholders, are transforming education and how these efforts are contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

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12 August: International Youth Day 2019

This day is an annual celebration of the role of young women and men as key partners in change.

This day is also an opportunity to make young people aware of the challenges and problems they face.

According to the UN DESA report, World Population Prospects 2019, the global youth population is expected to reach nearly 1.4 billion people by 2065. By 2019, there are about 1.2 billion young people between the ages of 15 and 24 years in the world, or 16% of the world’s population. By 2065, the world’s youth population will reach its peak with just under 1.4 billion people (13%). The share of youth in the total population peaked at 19.3% in 1985. In 2019, Central and Southern Asia had the highest number of young people (361 million), followed by East Asia and South East (307 million) and Sub-Saharan Africa (211 million).

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12 August: International Youth Day 2016

2016 Theme: The Road to 2030: Eradicating Poverty and Achieving Sustainable Consumption and Production

On 17 December 1999, in its resolution 54/120, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998) that 12 August be declared International Youth Day.

The theme of the 2016 International Youth Day is “The Road to 2030: Eradicating Poverty and Achieving Sustainable Consumption and Production”. This year’s Day is about achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It focuses on the leading role of young people in ensuring poverty eradication and achieving sustainable development through sustainable consumption and production.

Sustainable consumption entails the use of products and services that meet the basic needs of communities while safeguarding the needs of future generations. The development and promotion of individual choices and actions that increase the eco-efficiency of consumption of all and minimize waste and pollution is critical to achieving equitable socioeconomic development. See more on this year’s International Youth Day.

Background

In 1985, the UN celebrated the first International Year of Youth. On its 10th anniversary, the General Assembly adopted the World Programme of Action for Youth, setting a policy framework and guidelines for national action and international support to improve the situation of young people.

15 Priority Areas adopted by the General Assembly:

  • Education
  • Employment
  • Hunger and poverty
  • Health
  • Environment
  • Drug abuse
  • Juvenile delinquency
  • Leisure-time activities
  • Girls and young women
  • Participation
  • Globalization
  • Information and communication technologies
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Youth and conflict
  • Intergenerational relations

Today, the World Programme of Action for Youth plays a prominent role in youth development. It focuses on measures to strengthen national capacities in the field of youth and to increase the quality and quantity of opportunities available to young people for full, effective and constructive participation in society.

The United Nations Programme on Youth serves as the Focal Point on Youth at the UN. It undertakes a range of activities to promote youth development including supporting intergovernmental policy-making, conducting analytical research and increasing the effectiveness of the UN’s work in youth development by strengthening collaboration and exchange among UN entities through the Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development.

Youth Video Competition on Climate Change

Young people can share how they are shaping a more sustainable future and win a trip to the UN Climate Change Conference in Marrakech, Morocco. Send your video for the Global Youth Video Competition on Climate Change and win a trip to the ‪#‎COP22. See details on the competition.