United Nations(UN)’s International Youth Day(IYD) is annually observed across the globe on 12th August to create awareness about the cultural and legal issues surrounding youth and to celebrate the potential of youths as the partners of the global society.
- IYD 2021 was virtually convened by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs(DESA) in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations(FAO) and the Major Group for Children and Youth.
The theme of International Youth Day 2021 is “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”.
The IYD 2021 theme highlights that the success of the global efforts will not be achieved without the participation of young people.
Background:
i.The idea of the International Youth Day was proposed by the young people at the first session of the World Youth Forum of the United Nations System held in Vienna, Austria.
ii.In 1998, The first session of the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth, hosted by the Government of Portugal in cooperation with the UN in Lisbon, Portugal, adopted a resolution and proclaimed the 12th August of every year as the International Youth Day.
iii.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) endorsed the International Youth Day in its resolution A/RES/54/120 in December 1999.
iv.The first International Youth Day was observed on 12th August 2000.
Key Points:
i.There are more than 1.2 billion young people aged from 15 to 24 years, which accounts for 16% of the global population.
ii.It is estimated that by 2030, the number of youths will grow by around 7%, around 1.3 billion.
iii.At present, around 30% of young women and 13% of young men across the globe are not in employment, education or training(NEET).
iv.‘If I Disappear: Global Report on Protecting Young People in Civic Space’ a research report was published by the UN’s OSGEY with the financial support of the Government of Norway.
v.The report addresses the gaps in policy and recommends how to create a youth sensitive protection mechanism.
Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur Presented National Youth Awards:
On the occasion of the International Youth Day 2021, the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur announced and felicitated the winners of the National Youth Awards 2017-2018 and 2018-2019.
National youth Awardees:
A total of 14 awards for National Youth Awards 2017-2018, 10 awards in the individual category and 4 awards in the Organization category and 8 awards for National Youth Awards 2018-19, 7 awards in the individual category and 1 award in the Organization category were presented.
Click here for the details of national Youth Awadees 2017-2018 & 2019-2020
About National Youth Awards:
i.The award instituted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports(MoYAS) recognises the excellent work of individuals (aged between 15 to 29 years) and organizations that contribute to different fields of development and social service.
ii.The award comprises a medal, certificate along with a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh (for individuals) or Rs 3 lakh (for organisation).
Winners of Challenge S.O.L.V.E.D 2021:
i.Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur felicitated the 10 young entrepreneur team who won the agri-enterprise challenge S.O.L.V.E.D 2021.
ii.The “S.O.L.V.E.D. (Social Objectives-Led Volunteer Enterprise Development) Challenge” was launched by the United Nations Volunteers (UNV, India), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and MoYAS, the Government of India
Click here for the details of S.O.L.V.E.D Challenge awardees
About Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports(MoYAS):
Union Minister– Anurag Singh Thakur (Constituency- Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh)
Minister of State– Nisith Pramanik (Constituency- Coochbehar, West Bengal)
