International Youth Day 2023: Theme, Date, Significance, History

Every year August 12 is celebrated as International Youth Day with the aim to draw worldwide focus towards various issues surrounding the youths of our world.  Awareness is raised on certain barriers pertaining to inter-generational solidarity, notably ageism and other cultural and legal issues. These issues have damaging effects on society as a whole and steps must be taken to prevent them.

The first International Youth Day was observed on 12 August, 2000 after its adoption by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1999.

International Youth Day 2023 Date

Here are the important dates for upcoming celebration of International Youth Day:

Event	Date	Day
International Youth Day 2023	August 12, 2023	Saturday
International Youth Day 2024	August 12, 2024	Monday
International Youth Day 2025	August 12, 2025	Tuesday
International Youth Day 2026	August 12, 2026	Wednesday
International Youth Day 2027	August 12, 2027	Thursday

Youth Day 2023 Overview

Event	International Youth Day 2023
Date	August 12, 2023
Day	Saturday
Declared by	United Nations
Purpose	To draw worldwide focus towards various issues surrounding the youths
International Youth Day 2023 Theme	Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World

International Youth Day Significance

Observed every year on August 12, the IYD offers a platform to honor the qualities of youth and the potential that they hold towards development of a nation and the world as a whole. The day also acknowledges the challenges faced by them and to eliminate the issues. A lot of contribution is made by young people towards community development, in protection of environment and volunteering on various social projects.

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It is therefore our duty to provide them with the needful resources such as education, health care supplies, etc.

The International Youth Day focuses on the difficulties experienced by the youths throughout the world. Most children are deprived of basic education and suffer from hunger and poverty which is a great hindrance towards their growth. To secure their future so that they grow into promising youths, steps need to be taken now. The day calls everyone to join the efforts of United Nation and help it achieve its SDGs.

History behind Observation of International Youth Day

The United Nations General Assembly, in 1965, started making efforts to make positive impact on the lives of youths worldwide. Declaration on the Promotion among Youth of the Ideals of Peace, Mutual Respect and Understanding between Peoples was sanctioned and there was an increase in the amount of time and resources devoted towards empowering the youth. The same was done by recognizing up-and-coming leaders and offering them resources to meet the needs of the world.

Again in 1999, a recommendation was made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth to observe International Youth Day. On December 17, 1999 the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution and the first International Youth Day was celebrated on August 12, 2000. Since then, the IYD is observed every year with great enthusiasm all around the world.

Check: Other special days in August

Theme for International Youth Day 2023 Celebration

International Youth Day 2023 theme: Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World

The theme for IYD 2022 was  “intergenerational solidarity: creating a world for all ages”. The idea behind picking this theme is to strengthen the message that action is needed across all generations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and leave no one behind.

International Youth Day Celebration 2023

On the occasion of International Youth Day, many government officials, local as well as national, non-government organizations, youth administrations, etc. organize events to celebrate the day. Workshops, meetings, concerts, cultural events, etc. take place around the world focusing on the empowerment of youths.

You can participate in such events that are being conducted in your locality or also conduct events of your own in your neighborhood and invite others to be part of it.

FAQs

Question 1: What were the previous themes for International Youth Day celebration?

Answer: Here are some of the previous themes on which International Youth Day (IYD) celebration were based upon:

2022 – “intergenerational solidarity: creating a world for all ages”

2021 – Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health

2020 – Youth Engagement for Global Action

2019 – Transforming Education

2018 – Safe Spaces for Youth

2017 – Youth Building Peace

2016 – Road to 2030: Eradicating Poverty and Achieving Sustainability

2015 – Youth Civic Engagement

2014 – Mental Health Matters

2013 – Youth Migration: Moving Development Forward

2012 – Building a Better World: Partnering with Youth

2011 – Change Our World

2010 – Dialogue and Mutual Understanding

2009 – Sustainability: Our Challenge. Our Future.

2008 – Youth and Climate Change: Time for Action

2007 – Be seen, Be heard: Youth participation for development

2006 – Tackling Poverty Together

2005 – WPAY+10: Making Commitments Matter

2004 – Youth in an Intergenerational Society

2003 – Finding decent and productive work for young people everywhere

2002 – Now and for the Future: Youth Action for Sustainable Development

2001 – Addressing Health and Unemployment

First Observance of International Youth Day 2000

Question 2: When will the next International Youth Day observed?

Answer: International Youth Day is celebrated on 12th of August.

Question 3: What is World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY)?

Answer: World Programme of Action for Youth is a program of action developed by the United Nations that covers fifteen youth priority areas and contains proposals for action in each of these areas.