International Youth Day 2021

International Youth Day is observed on 12 August, every year, globally. It is a day designated by the UN to spread awareness and draw attention to cultural and legal problems surrounding the youth. International Youth Day also recognises and celebrates the contributions of youth around the world.

As UPSC surprises aspirants with questions linked with what usually is assumed to be trivia; it is advisable that one must scroll through the facts about International Youth Day to get the basic information. It might be your lucky day during UPSC Prelims if at all a question is asked from this topic.

Facts About International Youth Day

Read the below-mentioned facts about International Youth Day; and aid your IAS Exam preparation along with other competitive exams’ preparation. 

Also, read about the National Youth Day in the linked article.

The topic can be asked as a Current Affairs Question in IAS Prelims. Visit the attached link to attempt practice quizzes on current affairs.

To read more about the other Important International and National days click on the link. Such days and events become very important for UPSC Prelims. 

History of International Youth Day

• An International policy on youth was emphasised between 1965 and 1975 by the UN General Assembly and the UN Economic & Social Council and both focused on three key areas i.e. participation, development, and peace.
• In 1999, the United Nations decided to commemorate International Youth Day on 12 August, every year.
• It was based on a recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth in Lisbon to the UN General Assembly.
• The first International Youth Day was observed on 12th August 2000.

Theme of International Youth Day, 2021

• To celebrate the day, the United Nations decides a theme every year that is relevant to all global communities and citizens. 
• The theme of International Youth Day 2021 was – “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”.
• The aim of the theme for 2021 was to underscore that the success of such a global effort to transform food systems will not be achieved without the meaningful participation of young people.
• International Youth Day 2021 was held virtually by DESA ( Department of Economic and Social Affairs) in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization ( FAO) of the United Nations and the Major Group for Children and Youth. 
• International Youth Day 2021 focused on specific topics under the theme of Transforming Food Systems, including: planetary health, nutrition, health, education, innovation, and Indigenous youth.

Significance of International Youth Day

• International Youth Day is celebrated to give an opportunity to young peoples’ voices, actions and mainstream initiatives. This also encompasses their meaningful, universal and equitable engagement.
• One of the aims of the day is to recognise the importance of youth participation in political, economic and social life and processes.
• International Youth Day also recognises the efforts of the world’s youth in enhancing global society and to draw attention regarding cultural and legal problems surrounding youngsters. 
• The day also promotes various ways to engage youngsters in making positive contributions to their communities.

Challenges of Realising True Potential of Youth in India 

Some of the challenges faced by India to reap the benefits of high youth population are:

1. Inadequately equipped education system of our country is unable to provide skills to harness the advantages of emerging employment opportunities. School closures during Covid-19 have impacted the learning outcomes even more.
2. Various issues like child marriage, gender-based violence, human trafficking and sexual assaults at workplace restrict young women to work and hence harness their true potential.
3. The primary issue that the country faces is Jobless Growth. This is because the main contributor in India’s GDP is the service sector which is not labour intensive.
4. Socio-economic reasons like hunger, malnutrition, stunting among children, high levels of anaemia among adolescent girls, poor sanitation etc., reduces the productivity of India’s youth in realising their potential.

Government Initiatives to Address the Problems of Youth

The Indian government has launched various schemes in order to tackle the problems and challenges faced by our youth. Some of them are-

• National Youth Policy-2014
• Generation Unlimited in India (YuWaah)
• National Career Service
• Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana
• Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006
• National Health Mission (NHM) 

Conclusion

• According to a report by the UN, the world’s population is expected to increase by 2 billion people in the next 30 years. Therefore, it is imperative for the Youth to come together and engage in activities with diverse needs and interests, participate in the decision-making process, and freely express themselves. 
• To enable this youth need safe spaces like civic spaces to engage in governance issues; public space to participate in sports and other leisure activities in the community; digital spaces to interact virtually across borders with everyone; well planned physical spaces that can help to accommodate the needs of youth especially suffering from any kind of violence.

Note: As UPSC 2022 approaches, use BYJU’S free Daily Video Analysis of The Hindu Newspaper to augment your preparation.

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