International Youth Day

Not to be confused with World Youth Day.

International Youth Day
Young people
Date	12 August
Next time	12 August 2026 (2026-08-12)
Frequency	Annual

International Youth Day (IYD) is an awareness day designated by the United Nations that takes place on August 12.

The purpose of the day is to draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding youth. The first IYD was observed on 12 August 2000.

Background

International Youth Day is observed annually on August 12. ^[1] It is meant as an opportunity for governments and others to draw attention to youth issues worldwide. During IYD, concerts, workshops, cultural events, and meetings involving national and local government officials and youth organizations take place around the world. The World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth adopted a resolution to proclaim August 12 as International Youth Day at its first session in Lisbon, Portugal, from 8 to 12 August 1998. The recommendation was later endorsed by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 17, 1212, with the adoption of Resolution 54/120. ^{[2] [3]}

Each year, International Youth Day adopts a theme to raise awareness of issues affecting young people and their role in global development:

• 2014: Youth and Mental Health ^[4]
• 2015: Youth and Civic Engagement ^[5]
• 2016: The Road to 2030: Eradicating Poverty and Achieving Sustainable Consumption and Production
• 2017: Youth Building Peace
• 2018: Safe Spaces for Youth
• 2019: Transforming Education ^[6]
• 2020: Youth Engagement for Global Action ^[7]
• 2021: Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health ^[8]
• 2022: Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages ^[9]
• 2023: Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World ^[10]
• 2024: From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development ^[11]
• 2025: Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond. ("SDGs" refers to "Sustainable Development Goals"). ^[12]

Associated events

Each youth day is associated with several events around the world. These included, in 2013:

• International Youth Conference 2013: held on August 10–11,2013, before the International Youth Day on August 12. This conference comprised speakers from various countries and fields of work, followed by youth awards ceremony, and spirit kindling debates and discussions. It was hosted by, YOUTHINK, Youth Exnora and the US consulate general, Chennai.

IYC'13 hosted by:

• YOUTHINK
• Youth Exnora
• US consulate general, Chennai

IYD '18 and IYD '19 hosted by Indian Youth Cafe, Chennai. The event has its own specialty in empowering the youth power.

References

1. "International Youth Day 2021: Theme, Quotes, History & Celebrations". S A NEWS. 2021-08-12. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
2. "Youth at the United Nations: 12 August – International Youth Day" . Retrieved 2008-08-12.
3. "International Youth Day: 12 August". United Nations . Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
4. Gillard, Julia (August 13, 2014). "International Youth Day: Reflections on the Importance and Promise of Young People". Brookings. Retrieved 2025-02-27.
5. Alemoru, Kemi (2015-08-12). "International Youth Day: are you involved in a movement for change?". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2025-02-27.
6. "International Youth Day". World Health Organization. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
7. "WATCH: Today's Youth Leaders Come Together for International Youth Day | Comic Relief US". Comic Relief. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
8. Artz, Jaxx. "5 Youth Activists Tackling World Hunger to Follow on International Youth Day". Global Citizen. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
9. PriyankaNaithani (2022-08-04). "International Youth Day 2022". The Hunger Project. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
10. Nations, United. "Green skills for youth: Towards a sustainable world". United Nations. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
11. "From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development". Archived from the original on 2024-09-25. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
12. "International Youth Day 2025 "Local Youth Actions For The SDGs And Beyond"". Archived from the original on 2025-07-15. Retrieved 2025-08-12.

External links

• International Youth Day (United Nations)