The United Nations(UNs) International Youth Day(IYD) is annually celebrated on 12th August to raise awareness on the legal and cultural problems related to the youths all over the world and to celebrate and focus on the voices, actions and initiatives of young people.
IYD 2020 is convened by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) in partnership with the Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development(IANYD) Youth Caucus and Create2030.
The First International Youths day was observed on 12th August 2000.
The IYD 2020 is celebrated under the theme – “Youth Engagement for Global Action” to highlight the methods in which the engagement of the young people at the local, national and global levels promotes the national and multilateral institution and processes.
Background:
In December 1999, The United Nations General Assembly endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth held in Lisbon from 8th to 12 August 1998, adopted the resolution A/RES/54/120 declaring the 12th of August as International Youth Day.
Focus of 2020 IDY:
i.Due to the Global pandemic situation, the 2020 IDY will be in the Podvast -style discussion hosted by youth for youth along with the global celebrations to recognise the importance of the participation of youths in political, economic and social life and process.
ii.The 2020 IDY focuses on the engagement of the youths in,
- Local or community level,
- Formulation of laws, policies, and their implementation at National level,
- Global level.
Events 2020:
i.The United Nations launched #31DaysOfYouth, a social media campaign to celebrate the youths from all over the world throughout the month of august.
ii.The United Nations Women celebrates and recognises the contribution of the youth amid COVID-19 pandemic.
iii.Virtual Event – ‘Enough! I am Generation Equality. My vision now.’ Organised by United Nations Women with Gender Equality and hosted by Zozibini Tunzi or “Zozi”, Miss Universe 2019
Features:
- Musical performance by Maia Reficco Viqueira, Manizha, Malkia the band, 25 May Movement, and Maria Brodskaya
- Panel discussion on Social justice moderated by Jayathma Wickramanayake, UN Secretary-General Youth Envoy
- Panel discussion on Peace and Security with Hajer Sharief, human rights advocate.
Key Points:
i.Around 1.2 billion youth aged between 15 to 24 accounts to around 16% of the global population.
ii.By 2030 the target date of Sustainable Development Goals(SDG), the number of youths is estimated to increase by 7%, around 1.3 billion.
iii.To meet the employment requirement of the youths around 600 million jobs would be created in the upcoming 15 years.
iv.The worldwide proportion of the young people not in employment, education or training (NEET) was high over the last 15 years which is currently around 30% of young women and 13% of young men.
About United Nations:
Secretary-General– Antonio Guterres
Headquarters– New York
About United Nations General Assembly(UNGA):
President– Tijjani Muhammad-Bande
President Elect– Volkan Bozkir (will assume office on September 15th 2020)
Headquarters– New York, United States of America
