International Youth Day observed on August 12 with theme Safe Spaces for Youth

International Youth Day is observed every across the world on 12 August to draw attention to give set of cultural and legal issues surrounding youth. Observance of this day seeks to highlight role of young women and men as essential partners in change and opportunity to raise awareness of challenges and problems facing the world’s youth.
The theme for this year is ‘Safe Spaces for Youth’. It aims to highlight need of safe spaces where youth can come together, engage in activities related to their diverse needs and interests, participate in decision making processes and freely express themselves. The theme supports 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specifically Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, emphasizes need for provision of space towards inclusive and sustainable urbanization.

International Youth Day (IYD)

It was instituted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) by passing resolution 54/120 in December 1999. It was first observed on 12 August, 2000. The day was instituted by UNHA on the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth held in Lisbon (Portugal) from 8 to 12 August 1998. The first IYD was observed on 12 August, 2000.

Background

There are currently 1.8 billion young people between ages of 10 and 24 in the world. This is the largest youth population ever and world ins getting younger every day.  As per census 2011, there are 364.66 million youngsters in the 10-24 age group in India. They constitute over 30% of the total population. This makes India one of the youngest nations of the world. But 1 in 10 of the world’s children live in conflict zones and 24 million of them are out of school. Political instability, limited space for political and civic participation, labour market challenges have led to increasing isolation of youth in societies.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2018