International Youth Day (IYD) was first celebrated on 12th August 2000, after the UN General Assembly passed a resolution The UN uses celebrations like these to draw public awareness to problems surrounding a particular global demographic and IYD focuses on the youth, their issues and their contributions.
International Youth Day focuses on the rights of these young people to have full access to education, adequate healthcare, employment opportunities, financial services and full participation in public life. In a climate of economic uncertainty, it is all the more important for countries to invest in opportunities for their youth to learn, earn and grow so that the common future lies in good hands.
International Youth Day celebrated by USAID
It is celebrated through events, seminars and programs from an international to a local level. Anyone can organize an event. Recommendations also include talking to local politicians and business-owners, so that the government, corporate and development sectors can work together for the advancement of society. Initiatives have also focused youth attention on particular issues like HIV/AIDS, and recent data from UNAIDS indicates that HIV prevalence has dropped by more than 25% among young people in 15 out of 21 countries most affected by HIV. The youth is leading the change, and International Youth Day ensures that they have the ability, skill, motivation and recognition to continue to do so.
