Commemorating International Youth Day
The Middle East Youth Initiative joins with the international community in celebrating International Youth Day on August 12. Adopted by resolution of the United Nations General Assembly in 1995, International Youth Day is an occasion to promote awareness of the critical need to improve the well-being of young people, with a particular focus on engaging youth in developing countries.
“Today's young people will bear the consequences of climate change, thanks to the unfortunate legacy of their elders. In many developing countries in particular, youth – especially girls and young women – are often responsible for farming, finding water and collecting fuel wood. These tasks will be rendered more difficult – and will take even more time away from education or productive activities – as climate change affects the availability of water, agricultural productivity and the survival of ecosystems…The transition to a low-carbon economy that we hope young people will see in their lifetimes offers tremendous opportunities. Not least, economic growth that is fuelled by clean energy and technological innovation will create jobs that could help alleviate the dire global problem of youth unemployment.”
(UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon message for International Youth Day, August 2008)
The annual celebration of International Youth Day flows from the UN’s 1995 international action agenda – the World Programme of Action on Youth – to strengthen national capacities and promote international support in ten priority areas: education, employment, hunger and poverty, health, environment, drug abuse, juvenile delinquency, leisure activities, girls and young women, and the full and effective participation of youth in society and decisionmaking.
Several countries in the Middle East and North Africa have activities planned to celebrate youth day and draw attention to the role of young people in addressing the challenges of climate change and promoting environmentally sustainable growth:
- In Qatar, a joint press conference was held at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs. Activities planned on youth day include a documentary screening on climate change and a seminar at the Friends of Environment Centre where environmentalists will hold a discussion with youth on the issue.
- In Jordan, the Jordan River Foundation has established a new youth unit to promote youth involvement in community empowerment and development programs.
- In Bahrain, Luminum Bahrain (Alba) and the Young Leaders of Bahrain (YAL) will host a youth day gathering to address climate change. A photography competition will be announced. A two-day workshop is also being held at the Crowne Plaza featuring lectures on climate change, a documentary screening, discussion groups on the role of youth in protecting the environment and discussion presentations, to be featured on exhibition at the Seef Mall on Tuesday and Wednesday. These activities are organized by the Supreme Council for Women in coordination with the Public Commission for the Protection of the Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife and other partners.
