12 August 2010

August 12, 2010 marks the beginning of the International Year of Youth (IYY), under the theme Dialogue and Mutual Understanding. IYY will use the energy, imagination, talent and initiative of youth internationally to advance on the challenges facing humankind, bringing together organizations, governments, civil society and individuals from around the globe. “IYY encourages young people to dedicate themselves through volunteerism to fostering progress, including the attainment of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)”[1]. The International Year of Youth Tenth Anniversary, overlapping with IYY, will provide the opportunity to recognize, excite and encourage youth to take a stand and make a commitment towards progressing on causes that they feel passionately about.

Heads of 27 UN Agencies came together to release a joint statement about the concerns facing youth and their commitment to work alongside one another to better the lives of youth internationally. Please see the file below to read this statement.

To find out more about the International Year of Youth and events taking place in your country, please visit http://social.un.org/youthyear/ or join the IYY Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UNyouth.

[1] UNDESA-DSPD-UNPY. (n.d.). Welcome to the International Year of Youth (IYY). Retrieved from International Year of Youth: http://social.un.org/youthyear/