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Theme: Youth in an Intergenerational Society
Message of the Secretary-General of the United Nations: English
| French
Message from the Director-General of UNESCO: English
| French
IYD event at UN Headquarters, New York
The Department of Economic and Social Affairs in collaboration with
an NGO, Directions for our Youth and the Office of the Mayor, City
of New York organized an event to commemorate the observance of
the International Youth Day.
Programme
Declaration of International
Youth Day by the Mayor of NYC
Prize winning logo
of the citywide Youth Logo Contest
Photographs >>
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World
Youth Festival
More than 1,000 young people marched through the Forum site celebrating
International Youth Day. (Photograph
© WYF)
Press Release: English
| French
UN
News
UNICEF
Adolescence Newsline Special
on Youth Employment from the Development Gateway
Today's society is the youngest ever; almost fifty percent of
the world's population is aged 25 years or under. But societies
are also ageing. It is estimated that by 2050 the population of
people older than 65 will have almost quadrupled, while the proportion
of children will have declined by a third. By the middle of this
century, the old and the young will represent an equal share of
the world’s population.
This demographic transition is most visible in developed countries.
Some European countries already deal with a negative population
growth. The transition in developing countries will occur at a
much faster rate than it has in developed countries. In many cases,
the necessary infrastructure and policies to deal with the consequent
developments may not be in place.
By choosing the theme Youth in an Intergenerational Society,
the United Nations wants to stress the importance of solidarity
between generations at all levels - in families, communities and
nations. In the future, the interdependence of younger and older
people will increase. Youth development is a prerequisite to meeting
the growing care demands of older people and a condition for the
development of society as a whole. The theme also commemorates
the
Tenth Anniversary of the International Year of the Family
celebrated in 2004.
The United Nations' Programme on Youth will celebrate International
Youth Day 2004 in Barcelona at
the World Youth Festival together with an expected 10.000
young participants, many NGOs and several UN agencies and bodies.
Here are some other activities taking place to mark International
Youth Day from around the world
Some ideas on intergenerational issues:
When discussing youth in an intergenerational society, many
themes are possible. Here are just a few:
1) Youth participation in an ageing society:
- Youth development is a necessity to meet the growing demands
of the older population. Who decides how to share this task?
- What is the role of voluntary work?
2) An intergenerational perspective on HIV and AIDS:
- HIV and AIDS is are youth problems. With five new victims
per minute, young people are the most effected by the epidemic.
- Unlike most diseases, HIV and AIDS generally kills not just
one, but both parents. Millions of children are orphaned as
a result of AIDS. Grandparents are often tasked with the care
of their grandchildren.
- Many youth with HIV and AIDS suffer from stigmatization and
discrimination, from outside and within their families.
3) New family forms:
- Families consisting of four or more generations are not uncommon
anymore. What are the implications to the family structures
and responsibilities for individuals within the family? Is the
welfare of older persons a family or a community concern?
- To become independent of one’s family, an income and housing
are required. Due to high unemployment rates and increasing
rents, in some countries, young people live longer with their
families.
- Young people are increasingly living in different family forms
than earlier generations – what does this mean in your community?
4) Intergenerational transmission of poverty:
- In combating poverty, generations within families depend on
each other. Without interventions related to education, health
and employment, poverty tends to deepen when one gets older. How
is poverty transmitted through generations?
Links to Resources
Chapter 15 of the World Youth Report 2003 on Intergenerational
Relations
Tenth Anniversary of the International Year of the Family
United Nations
Programme on Ageing
Activities from around the world to mark International Youth
Day 2004
- Liberia: In Gbarnga, Bong County, the
Bong Youth Association will have a programme marked by songs
and speeches. Given the current situation in the country,
the peacekeeping mission there, UNMIL, will speak to gathering
of about 200 youth on the importance of respecting and protecting
basic human rights that would lead to peace and prosperity
in their country.
- Bangladesh: Jubo Academy and Bangladesh
Institute of Administration Management (BIAM) Foundation
jointly organized a discussion meeting on "Youth In An Intergenerational
Society". More than one hundred and fifty young people participated
in the programme, which included 50 trainee school teachers,
70 youth representatives from different youth organizations
and 40 development workers.
- Ghana: The United Nations Youth Association
of Ghana, a registered Youth-led non-profit NGO under the
auspices of UNESCO, organized a workshop along with six
other youth organizations. The theme of the workshop was
“Youth in an Intergenerational Society”. The occasion was
also used to formally introduce the United Nations Youth
Association of Ghana to the general public. For more information:
unyaghana@yahoo.co.uk.
- Samoa: In Samoa, the IYD2004 will be
celebrated with two events, the screening of a 15-minute
documentary on the country’s SBC TV One (Thursday 12 August
9pm) and a youth specific Vaa o Manu Programme. The documentary
will focus on the importance of intergenerational relationships
in the physical and psychological development of youth at
household, village and societal levels. It highlights the
positive contribution made by young people in education,
employment, sports and recreation as well as explores the
challenges faced by young people today including teenage
pregnancy, juvenile crime, youth suicide, street vendors
and school drop outs. Following the screening there will
be a panel discussion where young people will talk with
two prominent leaders on the topic “Intergenerational relationships
– a core pillar of Samoan life and culture or Le Aiga, –
the protector, and nurturer of Samoan youth?” The discussion
is intended to create greater awareness of the need for
all members of the household, the church and the village
to support the development of young people and develop intergenerational
solidarity in building a society suitable for all ages.
- Australia: Global Launch on International
Youth Day of the Oxfam International Youth Parliament Communique,
Newsletter and Action Partner Action Plans. Delegates of
the second Oxfam International Youth Parliament (OIYP),
that was held from 4-12 July 2004 in Sydney, will launch
their Action Plans to improve their communities together
with the Communique document summarizing the commitments
made at the Parliament. The event will be a global launch
event, with specific events taking place on 6 continents
around the world. The OIYP Voice Newsletter will also be
unveiled on August 12th and will be published monthly on
the OIYP website. The OIYP was , Australia and was attended
by over 300 youth leaders from around the world. Each youth
leader, or Action Partner, attended the event with an Action
Plan to clearly bring positive change to their communities
or countries. For more information, please contact iypenquiries@sydney.caa.org.au
or visit www.iyp.oxfam.org.
- Philippines: Youth leaders converge at
the 5th
Youth International Youth Day Conference in Manila,
Philippines!
- Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka United Nations Friendship
Organisation will hold a national ceremony at BMICH main
convention center in Colombo. This will include the selection
of 10 outstanding youth and presenting them an award. The
ceremony will also serve to recognize some youth oriented
products and services and incorporate youth cultural and
educational activities. A youth service camp will also be
organized at the Pallansena Young Offenders Correction Center
in Negombo on 14 August 2004 from 9.30 AM- 4.30PM. There
are more than 500 youth in this center. We have planned
for medical, counseling and a number of cultural, fun and
educational activities for them. For more information, please
contact: sunfo@webstation.lk or unfriends@sltnet.lk.
- Cameroun:Un forum sur les relations intergénérationnelles
avec entre aures sous theme synergie des générations
et lutte contre la pauvreté et, une visite dans un
centre du 3è âge. Le forum regroupera près
de 50 associations soit environ 50 jeunes et adultes afin
de débattre sur le problème de renforcement
de la solidarité entre les générations.Des
exposés liminaires seront présentés
par des experts professeurs d'Universités. The forum
is organized by Jeunesse Contemporaine. Please find all
information at www.cooperation.net/jeunessecontemp
- Toronto, Canada: Interactive Workshop
on 12th of August – Participants are asked to bring an example
or case study about youth across the globe. Facilitators
for the sessions will lead an inspire you to determine the
root causes for certain global problems through group discussion.
The interactive workshop is organized by Youth Challenge
International. Please find all information at www.yci.org.
To join the event please contact youthassistant@yci.org
for more details.
- Mauritania : Commémoration en
deux jour sur le thème de cette année «
Jeunesse dans la société intergénérationnelle
» le 11. & 12 August 2004 .The event is organized
by Campagne Anti Pauvrete in collaboration with the Youths
Regional Office of Noaudhibou. For more information about
APC please visit www.geocities.com/anit_pauvrete_campagne/APC.html
- Nepal : Several activities are planned
in Nepal: National Youth Conference on the theme "National
Youth Policy", including handing of the resolutions
of the conference to Minister of Education and Sports; Youth
Rally; Announcement of Youth Initiative Awards; National
Essay competition on "Youth in an Intergenerational
Society". The activities are organized by the Youth
Initiative, which is working closely with the Youth Section
of the Ministry of Education and Sports . For further information
on Youth Initiative please visit www.youthinitiative.org.np
- Zanzibar : A Youth Forum on 12th August
2004 at Lumumba Secondary school Zanzibar town will explore
the challenges, strategies and emerging issues regarding
the development of young people in general. The main topics
of this forum will be: Youth and Education; Youth and Employment;
Youth and HIV/AIDS; Youth and Drug abuse; Youth and Conflict
management . There is also planned a visiting and supporting
tour to older people at Uwelezo Centre. Both activities
are organized by the Ministry of Youth, Employment, Women
and Children Development.
To add your event, send an email with the event's description
and, if possible, a link to a website to: youth@un.org
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