United Nations Youth and Students Association of Srilanka

12 August 2007  

The theme for the 2007 commemoration of International Youth Day is: BE SEEN, BE HEARD: YOUTH PARTICIPATION FOR DEVELOPMENT International Youth Day gives the world an opportunity to recognize the potential of youth, to celebrate their achivements, and plan for ways to better engage young people to successfully take action for development. It presents a unique opportunity for all stakeholders to rally together to ensure that young people are included in global, national and local affairs and decision-making. The UN Programme on Youth will be organizing various activites a UN Headquarters in New York to celebrate the Day.

Event will be held at UN Headquarters on Friday, 10 August to commemorate the day. Other events will be held in the New York, where the Mayor of the city has also proclaimed 12 August as International Youth Day. More details forthcoming ...

Team up! Create a strategic youth team in your own community. IYD is a great opportunity to rally support and get key stakeholders involved - Governments, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, businesses, municipal authorities – everyone has a role to play in marking the day! Young people are especially encouraged to participate in local, national and international efforts to promote development. Find out what youth organizations exist in your community or if your National Youth Council or other national bodies are commemorating the Day.

Organize! Hold forums, public discussions and campaigns to find out more about how young people can participate in society. Research and evaluate what has been done successfully in other communities. Often, International Youth Day can be used to raise awareness about issues that are important to youth through newspapers, radio and the Internet. The media are important partners that can greatly increase public awareness of youth issues.

Take action! A major benefit to International Youth Day is that it can often lead to new partnerships and practical action to further support the participation of young people in the processes and decisions that affect their lives. You may want to find out who could support and cooperate with you to address issues of concern to young people in your community. It is a great opportunity to begin a Model UN in your school or form a UN Youth Association or a National Youth Council. Find out if your country sends youth delegates to UN meetings.

Celebrate! Plan and organize performances to showcase - and celebrate – the fact that youth make valuable and positive contributions to the societies in which they live. Convene community meetings and events focusing on the varied skills, interests, and aspirations of young people. Invite Government and local UN officials, community and business leaders to participate in your event. Celebrate and enjoy International Youth Day 2007!