12TH AUGUST IS THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY
Young people are always at the centre of discussion whenever there is anything related to society or nation building. Youth plays an important role in any society around the world. We should know that half of the people on our planet are 30 or younger, and this is expected to reach 57% by the end of 2030. Global survey shows that 67% of people believe in a better future, with 15 to 17 year-olds being the most optimistic about this. By 2050, the people who are under 25 today will compose more than 90% of the prime-age workforce.
The challenge is that 13% of the young labour force is unemployed. This number from 2023 marks the lowest rate in 15 years. Among children ages 10-19, 1 in 7 experiences a mental disorder. Nearly 6 in 10 ten-year-old children in low- and middle-income countries cannot read and comprehend a simple paragraph. These global data are bringing many questions in front of us as we are talking about achieving Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs) .
The theme of International Youth Day (IYD) 2025 which is observed on 12th August is “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond’, highlights the unique role of youth in translating global ambitions into community-driven realities. As development partners work to translate and implement the global goals within specific local contexts, aligning them with community needs while maintaining consistency with national and international commitments, young people are critical partners.
This year’s IYD will also underscore the essential role of local and regional governments. Being the closest to the communities they serve, they are uniquely positioned to create inclusive policy environments, allocate resources, and establish mechanisms for youth participation in local planning and decision-making. By integrating youth priorities into local and regional strategies and fostering partnerships with youth organizations, authorities can collaborate with young people to transform their ideas into impactful solutions.
This year’s IYD takes on added significance as it coincides with the upcoming 30th anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth. It remains a guiding framework for recognizing youth as key actors in sustainable development and participatory governance—principles directly echoed in this year’s theme. Discussions related to the 2025 IYD theme will also inform preparations for the Second World Summit for Social Development to be held in Doha in November.
In 1979, the UN General Assembly, by resolution 34/151, designated 1985 as International Youth Year: Participation, Development, Peace. In December 2009, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 64/134 proclaiming the year commencing 12 August 2010 as the International Year of Youth, calling upon governments, civil society, individuals and communities worldwide to support activities at local and international levels to mark the event.
The idea for IYD was proposed in 1991 by the young people who were gathered in Vienna, Austria, for the first session of the World Youth Forum of the United Nations System. The Forum recommended that an international day be declared, especially for fund-raising and promotional purposes, to support the United Nations Youth Fund in partnership with youth organizations. In 1998, a resolution proclaiming 12 August as IYD was adopted by the first session of the the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth , which was hosted by the Government of Portugal in cooperation with the United Nations (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998).
António Guterres, the Secretary General of the United Nations in his message on the occasion of IYD said that “this year’s theme – Local Youth Action for the SDGs and Beyond – reminds us that global progress begins in communities. And in every corner of the world young people are leading the way. They are driving sustainable development, building more inclusive communities, forging peace, and demanding a fairer, greener and more just future.”
“Young people are bold innovators, resilient organizers, and essential partners in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Let us work together to support youth-led solutions and build a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world, from the ground up”, he added.
We should not be confused with the definition of youth as there is no universally agreed international definition of the youth age group. For statistical purposes, however, the United Nations—without prejudice to any other definitions made by Member States—defines ‘youth’ as those persons between the ages of 15 and 24 years. According to the National Youth Policy any young person up to the age of 29 is a youth in India.
A central principle of the 2030 Agenda is the assurance that “no one will be left behind.” The SDGs are meant for all nations, all peoples of all ages and all societies. Youths are directly or indirectly linked with all SDGs. Youth are engaged in a myriad of ways including awareness-raising, data collection and use, grass-roots and national initiatives, monitoring and accountability efforts, and shadow reporting on progress. On this IYD, let us celebrate the determination, creativity and leadership of young people around the world who are fostering the SDGs.
(With direct inputs from the UN publication and feedback may be sent to bkranjan@gmail.com)
Ranjan K Baruah,
Guwahati