International Youth Day: How to mark the occasion

August 12 is International Youth Day. This year, International Youth Day will focus on the need to build green skills to support the transition to a more sustainable world. The Blueprint team looks at ways to mark the occasion.

Here’s everything you need to know about International Youth Day and how to mark the occasion.

When was International Youth Day introduced?

The first International Youth Day was celebrated in the year 2000 after the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the recommendation on 17 December 1999. The proposal for the annual event had been made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998). Since then, International Youth Day is celebrated every year on 12 August.

What is International Youth Day for?

This annual celebration is observed by the United Nations with the goal of promote better awareness of the World Program of Action for Youth, adopted by the General Assembly in 1996 (resolution 50/81).

This program is focused on working with young people around the world to drive social innovation and change, participate fully in the development of their societies, eradicate poverty and inequality, and foster a culture of peace. It also seeks to engage young peacebuilders in promoting peace and countering extremism, and clearly positions youth as important partners in the global effort.

What is the theme of International Youth Day 2023?

The 2023 theme for International Youth Day is Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World. We all know that humankind must urgently make the transition to a more sustainable and carbon-free world. This year’s theme recognizes that fact and emphasizes the role that young people must play in this transition.

What are Green Skills?

The United Nations defines green skills as including technical knowledge and skills that enable the effective use of green technologies and processes in occupational settings, as well as transversal skills that draw on a range of knowledge, values and attitudes to facilitate environmentally sustainable decisions in work and in life.

How can you get involved with International Youth Day 2023?

The United Nations will be hosting a global webinar to mark the occasion. Find more details on its website.

Green skills and the transition to a more sustainable world are intrinsically linked to the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (UNSDGs). Has your organization already committed to delivering on the UNSDGs? If not, International Youth Day would be a timely moment to commit. If you are already committed to the UNSDGs, how can you move the agenda forward in your organization?

How can your organization develop green skills? What investments can you make to develop the technologies and solutions needed to make the transition and deliver on the UNSDGs? How can you invest in your young people? How can you reach out into your local communities to develop the necessary skills, generate enthusiasm for the agenda and make a positive difference? International Youth Day is a great incentive to drive forward your own sustainability agendas.

What next?

Find more topics about sustainability, skills and internationally marked days on our blog:

• An emergency shelter made from cardboard
• Small changes you can make to mark World Earth Day
• Learn about Forest Protection certifications
• Reducing packaging and plastic waste in the EU
• The Navigator Company awarded top ESG honor