August 12 is International Youth Day (#IYD) and the theme for this year is “The Road to 2030: Eradicating Poverty and Achieving Sustainable Consumption and Production,” with a special focus on SDG 12.
#IYD2016 is about turning the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development into reality, with a focus on the leading role young people play in eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable development through sustainable consumption and production.
Sustainable consumption and production is about promoting resource and energy efficiency, sustainable infrastructure, and providing access to basic services, green and decent jobs and a better quality of life for all. Its implementation helps to achieve overall development plans, reduce future economic, environmental and social costs, strengthen economic competitiveness and reduce poverty.
By focusing on the social development dimensions of sustainable consumption and production, this year’s theme emphasizes a cross-sectoral approach to sustainability and the social, political, economic and environmental interlinkages needed to achieve it.
About International Youth Day
In 1999, the General Assembly declared August 12 International Youth Day. International Youth Day is an annual celebration of the role of young women and men as essential partners in change, as well as an opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges and hardships facing the world’s youth.
Events happening on #IYD2016
Be part of the celebrations by organising your own event or activity. You can organise an event to celebrate International Youth Day in your community, school, youth club, or workplace. Let the UN know about your event by sending your planned event or activity for International Youth Day to youth@un.org. Click here to find out whats happening in your city and what’s happening worldwide.
Some online events taking place include:
- Mental Health Innovation Network (MHIN) in celebrating International Youth Day with a webinar.
- 3pm BST (local time converter), join MHIN to celebrate International Youth Day 2016 by learning about youth mental health initiatives across the globe
- For more information http://www.mhinnovation.net/mark-international-youth-day-12-aug-mhin
- Join World’sLargestLesson twitter chat to discuss the role children and young adults can and are playing in helping the world achieve the
#GlobalGoals- 3pm BST. Participate using #SDGYouthAction
- For more information @TheWorldsLesson
- Join YouthPower for the Youth Talks Event: “Open Dialogue – International Youth Day”.
- Open Dialogue in English: 7:00 am to 8:00 am EST. Open Dialogue in Spanish: 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm EST.
- For registration, please visit http://www.youthpower.org/ypyouthtalks