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Background of International Youth Day
The General Assembly on 17 December 1999 in its resolution 54/120, endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998) that 12 August be declared International Youth Day.
The Assembly recommended that public information activities be organized to support the Day as a way to promote better awareness of the World Programme of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond, adopted by the General Assembly in 1995 (resolution 50/81).
Themes for IYD
12 August 2008 - YOUTH AND CLIMATE CHANGE: TIME FOR ACTION
The selection of this theme for IYD 2008 is in recognition of the fact that climate change has already begun to devastate communities and deepen the effects of poverty and hunger. This situation complicates the challenges that youth face. However, young people are increasingly adding their voices to the call for action on climate change.
It is important to actively engage youth in areas of preparedness, risk reduction, adaptation and mitigation:
Preparedness and disaster risk reduction is about building individual and community capacities so that the likelihood of climate change-induced disasters is reduced and that people are able to respond promptly, expeditiously and effectively. Adaptation entails actions that moderate harm, or exploit benefits, of climate change. Mitigation entails actions that minimizes or cushions the adverse impacts of climate change.
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International Youth Day gives the world an opportunity to recognize the potential of youth, to celebrate their achievements, and plan for ways to better engage young people to successfully take action in the development of their societies. It presents a unique opportunity for all stakeholders to rally together to ensure that young people are included in decision-making at all levels.
Previous Celebrations of International Youth Day include:
* IYD 2007 - Be seen, Be heard: Youth participation for development
* 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 Development
* IYD 2001 - Addressing Health and Unemployment
* First Observance of International Youth Day 2000
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