“In this landmark year, as leaders prepare to
adopt a bold new vision for sustainable development, the engagement of youth is
more valuable than ever. At this critical moment in history, I call on young
people to demand and foster the dramatic progress so urgently needed in our
world.”
On 17 December 1999, in its resolution 54/120, the United Nations General
Assembly endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers
Responsible for Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998) that 12 August be declared
International Youth Day.
The theme of International Youth Day, 12 August 2015,
is “Youth Civic Engagement.” The engagement and participation of youth is
essential to achieve sustainable human development. Yet often the opportunities
for youth to engage politically, economically and socially are low or
non-existent.
There has been recent increasing attention and policy
and programming focus on youth civic engagement by governments, UN entities,
regional and multilateral organizations, CSOs, youth and researchers. As part
of its celebrations for International Youth Day, the Inter-Agency Network on
Youth Development, led by the co-chairs, DESA and UNDP, is running an online campaign
in the lead up to International Youth Day 12 August 2015
