The World Celebrates International Youth Day
On August 12, 2010, International Youth Day will be celebrated under the theme “Dialogue and Mutual Understanding.” This year’s celebration is of particular importance as it also marks the start of the International Year of Youth (August 2010 – August 2011), which will aim to advance the full and effective participation of youth in all aspects of society. The World YWCA has a longstanding commitment to providing a space for young people notably young women and joins with the Alliance of Youth CEOs in recognising this important event. In this joint statement by the Alliance of Youth CEOs, the International Year of Youth is fully endorsed and the need for greater youth involvement is highlighted.
Alliance of Youth CEOs
AUGUST 12 2010: INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY AND LAUNCH OF THE
INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR
- Following the proclamation by the UN General Assembly of the International Year of Youth: Dialogue and mutual understanding, on the occasion of the International Youth Day and the launch of this special year, we are, as the Chief Executive Officers of the world’s largest youth movements, joining our voices to mark this significant event.
- Collectively, we reach over 100 million young people in over 200 countries and territories around the world. Through non-formal approaches and specific training and skills development, young people become more enabled and empowered with greater opportunities to engage and play an active role in making a difference in their respective communities.
- Young people bring much-needed skills when working alongside older people in a spirit of mutual respect. This intergenerational transfer of experience is vital to both progress and stability in society.
- Local youth actions such as peer education to prevent HIV and AIDS, protection of the environment,promotion of gender equality and advocacy for access to education are valuable contributions of young people towards realising the Millennium Development Goals.
- The values of social inclusion, dialogue, respect for diversity, non-discrimination, non-violence and peace that we promote create an enabling environment for young people to work together in building bridges for the benefit of all people in need.
- We fully support global advocacy for increased commitment and investment in youth, in particular young women and girls, for further youth participation, intergenerational and interfaith dialogue, and intercultural understanding among all people.
- We encourage all young people in our member organizations to get together, organize activities and celebrate the International Year of Youth.
- We call for action of all organizations and institutions in the public and private sector to respect the rights of children and youth, to prevent any form of abuse and to engage actively young people to build a better future.
Dr. Bartholomew Shaha
Secretary General
World Alliance of YMCAs
Mary Mc Phail
Chief Executive
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
Gillian Shirazi LVO
Secretary General
International Award Association
Luc Panissod
Secretary General,World
Organization of the Scout Movement
Bekele Geleta
Secretary General, International Federation of Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda
General Secretary
World YWCA
The “Alliance of Youth CEOs” consists of the World Alliance of Young Men’s Christian Associations (YMCA), World Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and the International Award Association (IAA). This is a platform for advocating for and with young people, promoting youth development and youth leadership, to improve the lives of children and young people world-wide.
