International Youth Day is an annual observance that takes place on August 12th. It was established by the United Nations (UN) in 1999 to raise awareness about the challenges and issues faced by young people worldwide. The day serves as an opportunity to highlight the potential and contributions of young individuals, as well as to promote their rights and well-being.
Each year, International Youth Day has a specific theme that focuses on various aspects of youth development and engagement. These themes often revolve around education, employment, social inclusion, health, and participation in decision-making processes.
The UN encourages various activities and events on this day, including conferences, workshops, seminars, and campaigns, to empower young people and advocate for their rights. It’s also an occasion for governments, organizations, and individuals to reflect on the challenges and opportunities faced by the younger generation and to work towards creating a better future for them.
International Youth Day emphasises the importance of involving young people in creating solutions for global issues and recognising their potential as agents of positive change in their communities and beyond.
History of International Youth Day
International Youth Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999. The idea behind creating this observance was to draw attention to the unique challenges and opportunities faced by young people globally and to promote their involvement in various aspects of society.
The resolution proclaiming August 12th as International Youth Day was adopted during the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth, which took place in Lisbon, Portugal, from August 8th to 12th, 1998.
The choice of August 12th as the date for International Youth Day is symbolic, as it coincides with the culmination of the International Year of Youth in 1985. During that year, the UN organized several activities and initiatives to recognize and promote the role of young people in society.
Each year, a specific theme is chosen to guide the focus of the celebrations and discussions. These themes address a wide range of issues affecting young people, from education and employment to mental health and civic engagement.
Over the years, International Youth Day has become a platform for young people, governments, organizations, and communities. It creates a platform to collaborate and discuss ways to empower youth, address their concerns, and create opportunities for growth and development.
How to Spend International Youth Day
Here are some ideas for how you can spend this day:
- Educational Workshops and Seminars: Organize or participate in workshops and seminars that address issues relevant to youth, such as education, career development, mental health, and leadership. This can be an opportunity to learn from experts, share experiences, and gain valuable insights.
- Community Service Projects: Dedicate the day to volunteering and community service. Engage in activities like cleaning up a park, helping at a local shelter, or participating in environmental initiatives. Contributing to your community fosters a sense of responsibility and unity.
- Advocacy Campaigns: Collaborate with local youth organizations to raise awareness about pressing issues affecting young people. Create social media campaigns, organize awareness events, or even start a petition to draw attention to specific causes.
- Skill-building Workshops: Host or participate in workshops that focus on building practical skills relevant to young individuals, such as communication skills, financial literacy, coding, or creative arts. These skills can enhance personal and professional development.
- Artistic and Cultural Celebrations: Organize cultural events, art exhibitions, or music festivals that showcase the talents of young artists and performers. Art and culture can be powerful tools for self-expression and bringing communities together.
- Networking Events: Arrange networking events that connect young people with mentors, professionals, and entrepreneurs from various fields. Building a strong network can open up opportunities for career growth and personal development.
- Sports and Physical Activities: Organize sports tournaments, fitness challenges, or outdoor adventures. This will encourage physical activity and healthy lifestyles among young people.
- Awareness Workshops: Host workshops on mental health awareness, cyber safety, and social media etiquette. These workshops help educate young people about important aspects of their lives.
- Youth-led Discussions: Facilitate discussions where young people can share their opinions, concerns, and ideas about issues that matter to them. This can foster a sense of empowerment and ownership.
- Educational Film Screenings: Organize screenings of documentaries or films that address youth-related issues and inspire conversations about social change.
Remember how you spend International Youth Day should align with your interests, talents, and community needs. The goal is to contribute positively, raise awareness, and empower young people to make a difference. Enjoy these youth-related jokes.
1. Two youthful artists having a studio in Philadelphia, wherein they not only work but lodge as well, were obliged to make a shift, not long ago, during a period of financial stress, with such meals as they could themselves prepare in the studio.
One morning, as the younger of the two was ‘sketching in’ the coffee, he gave utterance to a loud and bitter complaint. “This is no fine way for gentlemen to live!” he exclaimed.
“Oh, I don’t know” was the airy complaint of his friend. “Lots of people are far worse off. I was reading only this morning of a recluse who cooked his own breakfast for nineteen years.”
“He must have been awfully hungry when he finally got it done”, rejoined the other savagely.
2. A boy, Billy, is born with no left eye, so the doctors surgically implant a wooden eye in the socket.
All through his youth, he is shunned and bullied for his deformation. He grows hard and strong from all the fights he’s been forced to engage in throughout the years, but he remains a good kid underneath it all.
High school is ending, and Billy’s goal remains the same: survive. Somehow, he finds himself at prom, he feels guilty about all the other school events he’s stayed home from to avoid the ridicule.
Billy is sitting in the corner, drinking punch, when suddenly he spots a beautiful girl from across the floor, all alone as well. He notices a wooden peg emerging from her dress and thinks this has to be fate.
He builds the courage to ask her to dance and confidently makes his way over to this gorgeous gal.
“Would you like to dance?”
Excitedly, she replies, “Would I? “Would I?!”
“Peg leg! Peg leg!”
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