THE 2023 OBSERVANCE CELEBRATED THE POTENTIAL OF YOUTH ASS PARTNERS IN TODAY'S GLOBAL SOCIETY.

On 17 December 1999, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth that 12 August be declared International Youth Day.

This international day brings youth issues to the attention of the international community and celebrates the potential of youth as partners in today’s global society. It also serves as an annual celebration of the role of young men and women as essential partners in change, and an opportunity to raise awareness of challenges and problems facing the world’s youth.

UNESCO works with young people and is committed to accompany them to work together to drive social innovation and change, participate fully in the development of their societies, eradicate poverty and inequality, and foster a culture of peace.

This year, we focus on the theme: Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World. Today, the world sets sail on a green transition. The shift towards an environmentally sustainable and climate-friendly world is critical not only for responding to the global climate crisis but also for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A successful transition towards a greener world will depend on the development of green skills in the population. These green skills would include knowledge, abilities, values and attitudes needed to live in, develop and support a sustainable and resource-efficient society.

The Saint Lucia National Commission for UNESCO wishes the youth of our nation a happy International Youth Day. “You have the creativity, the potential and the capacity to make change happen – for yourselves for your communities and for the rest of the world”.