--- title: International Youth Day slug: international-youth-day-722cb url: /detay/international-youth-day-722cb type: article language: English entity: primary: International Youth Day type: article categories: - name: General Knowledge slug: genel-kultur url: /kategori/genel-kultur - name: History slug: tarih url: /kategori/tarih tags: - International Youth Day - Youth Participation - Youth author: Nursena Güller created_at: 2025-10-25T04:01:10.341872+03:00 updated_at: 2025-12-24T08:54:13.185660+03:00 --- # International Youth Day ## KURE Information Cards ![genç.jpg](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/12/19/myXA3VOT7CftdkfsrKfz9IvEFcYBSQ2l.jpg) *International Youth Day* | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Purpose(s) | To ensure youth take an active role at local and national levels,To strengthen youth initiatives and representation rights,To encourage youth participation in societal processes and decision-making mechanisms,To make the thoughts and actions of youth visible | | Date(s)(Text) | August 12 | | Declaring Authority | United Nations General Assembly | | Date of Declaration | December 17, 1999 | ## Article Content **International Youth Day** is a special day designated by the United Nations ([UN](/en/detay/united-nations-un-eab04/llms.txt)), celebrated annually **on August 12** worldwide, aiming to highlight the ideas, actions, and initiatives of young people and to encourage their meaningful participation in societal processes and decision-making mechanisms. ### **History** [International Youth Day](/en/detay/international-youth-day-50a8e/llms.txt) was officially declared by the UN General Assembly through** Resolution 54/120 on December 17, 1999.**[^1] This decision supports the recommendation of the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth, held in Lisbon from August 8–12, 1998. Accordingly, August 12 is observed annually as International Youth Day. Earlier, in 1996, the UN General Assembly had adopted the World Programme of Action for Youth (Resolution 50/81), which recommended organizing awareness-raising activities to support this day. ### **Purpose and Significance** The primary purpose of International Youth Day is to highlight the ideas, actions, and initiatives of young people and to encourage their meaningful and equitable participation in societal processes and decision-making mechanisms. The day serves as an important tool to make the contributions of youth at global, national, and local levels visible and to draw attention to their rights to representation and participation. UN Security Council Resolution 2250 recognizes the urgent need for young peacebuilders to play active roles in promoting peace and preventing radicalization, positioning young people as key partners in global peace and security efforts. ### **Themes and Practices** International Youth Day has been celebrated under various themes over the years. For example, the theme for 2020 was “Youth Engagement for Global Action,” aiming to highlight the ways young people can actively participate in local, national, and international processes. This included strengthening national and multilateral institutions in terms of youth participation and increasing youth representation in institutional policy bodies. On the occasion of the UN’s 75th anniversary, amid waning trust in international governance systems and public institutions, International Youth Day serves as a platform encouraging youth to develop collective and effective solutions to global challenges. ### **Role in the International System** UN Security Council Resolution 2250 emphasizes that young people must play significant roles in peacebuilding, promoting peace, and preventing radicalization. The resolution positions youth as active partners in global peace and security efforts and underscores the importance of their participation in decision-making processes. International Youth Day functions as a platform supporting the UN’s efforts to enhance youth participation. Especially during periods when trust in governance systems and public institutions is tested, this day encourages young people to collaboratively and effectively address global issues. ## Academic Sources and References 1. Sağlam, Ayşenur. “Türkiye Genç Nüfusta Avrupa'yı Solladı.” Anadolu Ajansı, May 17, 2019. Accessed October 25, 2025. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/turkiye/turkiye-genc-nufusta-avrupayi-solladi/1480438 2. UNESCO Türkiye Milli Komisyonu. “Uluslararası Gençlik Günü.” Accessed October 25, 2025. https://www.unesco.org.tr/Home/Page/1964?slug=Uluslararas%C4%B1%20Gen%C3%A7lik%20G%C3%BCn%C3%BC%20 3. UNESCO. “International Youth Day.” Accessed October 25, 2025. https://www.unesco.org/en/days/youth 4. Uluslararası Organizasyonlar ve Dış İşler Genel Müdürlüğü. “Bugün BM Uluslararası Gençlik Günü.” August 11, 2020. Accessed October 25, 2025. https://uogm.gsb.gov.tr/HaberDetaylari/1/198293/bugun-bm-uluslararasi-genclik-gunu.aspx 5. United Nations. “General Assembly A/RES/54/120.” January 20, 2000. Accessed October 25, 2025. https://docs.un.org/en/A/RES/54/120 ## Citations [^1]: United Nations. “General Assembly A/RES/54/120.” January 20, 2000. Accessed October 25, 2025. https://docs.un.org/en/A/RES/54/120