International Youth Day gives an opportunity to celebrate & mainstream young peoples? voices
Kolkata, International Youth Day (IYD) is observed annually on August 12 giving an opportunity to celebrate and mainstream young peoples’ voices, actions and initiatives, as well as their meaningful, universal and equitable engagement.The commemoration will take the form of a podcast-style discussion that is hosted by youth for youth, together with independently organized commemorations around the world that recognize the importance of youth participation in political, economic and social life and processes.The theme of International Youth Day 2020, “Youth Engagement for Global Action” seeks to highlight the ways in which the engagement of young people at the local, national and global levels is enriching national and multilateral institutions and processes, as well as draw lessons on how their representation and engagement in formal institutional politics can be significantly enhanced.On August 12, WHO and UNESCO celebrate International Youth Day and would like to recognize young people around the world demonstrating their resilience, collective action and creativity in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.Many young people are essential workers, or volunteering to support their community. Young health professionals and students have been supporting the COVID-19 response from hospitals, research centers and testing clinics. Other youth are working in advocacy and risk communication initiatives such as producing community radio shows and media and information literacy learning resources to counter disinformation and promote peer-education, conducting surveys on behavioural insights to inform response strategies, translating and disseminating public health information and inspiring online hand washing challenges.Sharing is caring? and there is no better time to share your own inspiration, ideas, and stories than now!This storytelling initiative is part of UNESCO’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is meant to put the spotlight on young people ? how they feel, how they act, how they thrive during these challenging times.