UN HQ Launch International Year of Youth

"The future belongs to the youth. They have a clear vision of the world" - Ban Ki Moon

I disagree. The present belongs to the youth. We are now. This is our time to survive. Our time to transform. The future belongs to the children...

Today from 10am to 1pm, the International Year of Youth is being launched at the United Nations Headquarters. I presume that like most youth out there...I did not realise that the 12th of August was International Youth Day. However, on the 17th of December 1999, the General Assembly endorsed (Resolution 54/120 I) the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998) to declare August 12th International Youth Day. Considering that there has been an international day of youth for ten years....and I have been living in Ireland for the majority of that time--there is no real excuse that I can make that justifies my lack of knowledge. However, it is heartening to find out that this year is being declared the International Year of Youth. Despite the fact that I just turned 25, ending my UN defined Youth (15-24 years old), I am still thrilled to be participating in Youth Activities and promoting the value of Youth involvement. 

I believe that children are the future but YOUTH are the present. As such, it is vital that we work actively to empower youth and facilitate youth growth. In a variety of forms and in a number of roles...I have spent most of last year advocating for change. I have had the amazing opportunities to work with inspired, enthusiastic, talented, articulate and motivating youth from diverse backgrounds. I have been challenged to learn, examine, explore, and challenge. This active process of action and reflection is assisting me to develop my potential. Today, I witnessed a historic event. One that will assist youth to promote our local initiatives (that already exist) on a global scale. 


The International Year of Youth is based on a General Assembly resolution (resolution A/RES/64/134)  that was adopted.

Today's launch was a little disappointing. The speakers, amazing in their own right, did not speak about the main theme of the year...namely DIALOGUE AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING. 


The event was advertised as "celebration of young peoples’ energy, imagination and initiatives and will recognize their crucial contributions to enhancing peace and development." Unfortunately, it did not live up to that. While a few of the speeches were meaningful and the video with people in white masks (celebrating diversity) was well done: the majority of the event left a lot to be desired.


However, the joint statement by Heads of UN Entities for the launch of the International Year of youth (see images included) was a lot more meaningful for me. The message gives youth leaders, advocates and activists a positive starting point from which to spin their lobby strategies. 

A recent report by the International Labour Organization showed that global youth unemployment has reached an all-time high. According to the report, of the world’s 620 million economically active youth, 81 million were out of work at the end of last year. I have been an unemployed Youth. It was soul destroying, scary and I could not see the way out. It was depressing and hard.

“The global economic crisis has had a disproportionate impact on young people; they have lost jobs, struggled to find even low-wage employment and seen access to education curtailed,” the Secretary-General noted in his message. However, the schemes that are being implemented are not enough. Unpaid internship positions are thriving, while youth struggle to find a decent wage paying job. It is disgraceful and the worst part is that there doesn't seem to be an easy solution. 


During the International Year, the UN will focus on three overarching objectives:

1. Increasing commitment and investment in youth
2. Raising youth participation and partnerships
3. Boosting inter-cultural understanding among youth.

Personally, I feel that the most important one for me is the first objective. I may no longer be a youth. But when I was, I was deeply impacted by the result of the economic crisis. It has adversely impacted on my long term career goals and objectives. Therefore, it is imperative that something is done now to prevent this cycle from continuing. 


So, this is my introduction to the International Year of Youth that has just been launched. It is my personal impressions of this historic day and I hope it provides you with a starting point from which to get involved, innovative, take charge of change and work towards our mutual future.


I have left a lot out. It is always hard to accurately portray in words...the essence of any event. Suffice to say, you didn't miss much if you did not attend the launch event. But you will miss a lot  if you do not get involved during the year. So, spread the word, highlight the fact that this is the International Year of Youth. Celebrate, and seize the moment. It is time to live in the present and to take our steps in the right direction.


Please comment, please tell me if your opinions differ from mine. Challenge me to think differently. Involve me in your projects. I am always interested in being actively involved, in learning and sharing my time and skills.


Do not be shy. Be courageous! Have fun!


By the way....if you decide you want to read what the Secretary General of the United Nations said at the launch of the International year of youth....you can read more here