Background of International Youth Day

Celebrate YOUth! On August 12th, 2006, youth around the world will celebrate their achievements, accomplishments, and aspirations by planning and participating in International Youth Day (IYD) activities. This is a day to stand out and be counted as passionate and energetic youth that are creating a better world for all. Use IYD as an opportunity to remind key decision-makers and influential persons of the key role young global citizens play in affecting global change.

This year's theme is "Tackling Poverty Together", tackling commemorating the contribution youth make in our societies, and highlighting the importance of including youth in decision-making. The World Youth Report 2005 states that over 200 million young people, or 18 percent of all youth, live on less than one dollar a day, and that over 88 million youth are unemployed. Although we have some statistics of young people living in poverty, they are frequently overlooked in national poverty reduction strategies.

Previous Celebrations of International Youth Day include:

" IYD 2006 - Tackling Poverty Together
" IYD 2005 - WPAY+10: Making Commitments Matter
" IYD 2004 - Youth in an Intergenerational Society
" IYD 2003 - Finding decent and productive work for young people everywhere
" IYD 2002 - Now and for the Future: Youth Action for Sustainable （可持續的）Development
" IYD 2001 - Addressing Health and Unemployment
" First Observance of International Youth Day 2000

How you can celebrate the day

Team up
It is a great opportunity to rally support and get key actors involved - Governments, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, businesses, and young people - to focus on what has been done to further the World Programme of Action for Youth.
Organize

Hold forums, public discussions and information campaigns in support of young people focusing on youth issues and how they can be addressed.

Celebrate
Plan and organize performances everywhere to showcase - and celebrate .The fact that youth contribute to the societies in which they live. Convene exchanges and dialogues focusing on the rich and varied skills, interests and aspirations of young people.
Take action

A major focus of the Day is practical action to further encourage the empowerment and participation of youth in the processes and decisions that affect their lives. The media have especially important role to play in support of the observance of the Day to promote public awareness of youth issues.

（通訊員東華大學傅麗莉投稿 英語點津陳蓓編輯）