Today, 12th of August, marks 20years of the World Programme for Action of Youths all over, since the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August, 1998) that “this day (August 12) be declared International Youth Day, with a prime purpose of celebrating the day to highlight the importance of youths and various cultural and legal issues related with them. It should also include organization of rallies and programmes to support the development of youth across the globe. The UN General Assembly also recommended that public information activities be organized at all levels to support this day as a way to promote better awareness, especially among youth, of the Programme of Action.
UNIQUENESS OF YOUTHS
The world’s young people – who make up the largest generation of youth in history – can lead a global drive to break the patterns of the past and set the world on course to a more sustainable future. Youths are directly affected by the tragic contradictions that prevail today: between abject poverty and ostentatious wealth, gnawing hunger and shameful food waste, rich natural resources and polluting industries, yet still striving.
Youths are traditionally at the cutting edge, and today’s youth have more information than any previous generation. Their dynamism, creativity and idealism can combine to shape attitudes toward demand and help create more sustainable industries.
Youths are already influencing how the world produces, distributes and consumes while driving entrepreneurship by designing sustainable products and services. As conscious consumers, young people are at the forefront of a shift toward more fair, equitable and sustainable buying patterns. Youths are strong and effective advocates of recycling, reusing and limiting waste, and they are leading technological innovations to foster a resource-efficient economy.
When youths are invested into, they can contribute to new markets, decent jobs, fair trade, sustainable housing, sustainable transport and tourism, and more opportunities that benefit the planet and people.
UN SECRETARY-GENERAL’S MESSAGE
This year, Youth Day highlights the theme of Transforming Education to make it more inclusive, accessible and relevant to today’s world.
We are facing a learning crisis. Too often, schools are not equipping young people with the skills they need to navigate the technological revolution. Students need not just to learn, but to learn how to learn.
Education today should combine knowledge, life skills and critical thinking. It should include information on sustainability and climate change. And it should advance gender equality, human rights and a culture of peace.
Today, we celebrate the young people, youth-led organizations, Governments and others who are working to transform education and uplift young people everywhere.
MESSAGES FOR FELLOW YOUTHS FROM THE DESK OF THE SPEAKER, OYO STATE YOUTH PARLIAMENT.
1) As a youth, you symbolize high energy, positivity and spirit to make things happen. Utilize that.
2) Life starts when you start believing in yourself. So before anything else, start believing in yourself and the world will believe you.
3) The future of the country is in your hands as a Youth. Act like it and be careful with it.
4) You as a Youth are one of the young guns of the country who are going to bring the new change to lead a new transformed life for the better. Cock yourself.
5) Your attitude and approach as a Youth of the nation is the reflection of the future. So always be positive in life and live it with happiness and hope.
6) International Youth Day is a reminder that you are competent, smart, strong and motivated to do things you want. Never surrender to situations.
All youths are encouraged to become involved in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and demanding action by their Governments.
On this International Youth Day, all others are urged to join this global push for progress. Let us empower Youths with the resources, backing and space they need to create lasting change in our world.
HAPPY INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY CELEBRATION!!!
Signed:
Francis Adeboye
(Special Adviser on New Media to the Speaker, Oyo State Youth Parliament)
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