International Youth Day

International Youth Day (IYD) is an awareness day designated by the United Nations. The first IYD was on 12 August 2000. As with other political awareness days, such as Earth Day, the purpose of the day is to draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding an endangered demographic. International Youth day is on August 12 each year. It was designated by the United Nations in 1999 by the adoption of [http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N00/246/20/PDF/N0024620.pdf?OpenElement resolution 54/120] . [cite web|url = http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/iyouthday.htm |title = Youth at the United Nations: 12 August - International Youth Day |accessdate = 2008-08-12] .

It is meant as an opportunity for governments and others to draw attention to youth issues worldwide. Concerts, workshops, cultural events, and meetings involving national and local government officials and youth organizations take place around the world in honor of International Youth Day.

Yearly Themes for IYD

2008 - YOUTH AND CLIMATE CHANGE: TIME FOR ACTION
The theme for IYD 2008 Youth and Climate Change: Time for Action was to increase awareness of climate change and its devastating effects on communities around the world. It encourages youth from around the world to take action on the climate change issue.

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

See also

* [http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/iyouthday.htm International Youth Day information on the United Nations website]

References