all about IYD 2013.

See the history and involvement of UN.

On the 17th of December 1999, in its
resolution 54/120, the United Nations
General Assembly endorsed the
recommendation made by the World
Conference of Ministers Responsible
for Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998)
that the 12th of August be declared
International Youth Day.
The theme of International Youth Day
2013 is “Youth Migration: Moving
Development Forward .”

In the European Union young people
face high levels of unemployment,
vulnerable working conditions and
have difficulty influencing the
decision-making process. MEPs have
been very concerned about their
situation. “Our shared responsibility
must be to ensure that the crisis does
not rob young Europeans of their
future,” stressed EP president Martin
Schulz in December 2012.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s said
in his message for 2013:
“This year’s observance of
International Youth Day focuses on
the issue of youth migration. Of the
annual total of some 214 million
international migrants, young
people constitute more than 10 per
cent, yet too little is known about
their struggles and experiences.
The reasons young people migrate
are many. Some are fleeing
persecution, others are escaping
economic hardship. Some are
alone, others part of a family – with
parents, siblings and even children
of their own. Some have
communities to go to, others must
make new connections. In transit
and at their final destinations, many
young migrants face equal or
greater struggles, including racism,
xenophobia, discrimination and
human rights violations. Young
women, in particular, face the risk
of sexual exploitation and abuse.
Poverty, crowded and unsanitary
living conditions and the challenges
of finding decent employment are
regular features of the migrant
experience. These challenges are
exacerbated by the current global
economic and financial crisis.
Migrants are also often accused by
communities and politicians of
taking jobs from local people,
exposing them to further risk of
discrimination. In other cases,
young people left behind by
migrating parents face psychological
and social challenges and greater
vulnerability.
It is important to emphasize the
positive contribution young
migrants make to societies of
origin, transit and destination –
economically and by enriching the
social and cultural fabric. Most work
hard to earn a living and improve
their circumstances. The
remittances they send to support
families in their home countries are
a major contributor to economies
worldwide. When they return
home, young migrants often
enhance development by applying
skills and ideas acquired abroad.
And, in many cases, women are
empowered through migration as
they gain financial and social
independence.
In October, the United Nations
General Assembly will host the
second High-Level Dialogue on
International Migration and
Development. I urge Member
States to consider youth migration.
Working with and for young people
is one of my top priorities. On this
International Youth Day, I
encourage Member States, youth-
led organizations and other
stakeholders to act to promote the
rights of all young migrants and
maximize the development
potential of youth migration.”
Young people make up a significant
share of the global number of
international migrants. In 2010, there
were an estimated 27 million
international young migrants. While
migration can often offer valuable
opportunities and contribute to the
development of communities and
society at large, it can also pose risks
and lead to unacceptable situations,
including discrimination and
exploitation.
The 2013 observance of International
Youth Day will raise awareness of the
opportunities and risks associated
with youth migration, share
knowledge and information stemming
from recent research and analysis on
this topic, and engage young people
in discussions on their migration
experiences.
In 1985, the UN celebrated the first
International Year of Youth. On its
10th anniversary, the General
Assembly adopted the World
Programme of Action for Youth,
setting a policy framework and
guidelines for national action and
international support to improve the
situation of young people.
15 Priority Areas adopted by the
General Assembly:
Education
Employment
Hunger and poverty
Health
Environment
Drug abuse
Juvenile delinquency
Leisure-time activities
Girls and young women
Participation
Globalization
Information and communication
technologies
HIV/AIDS
Youth and conflict
Intergenerational relations
Today, the World Programme of
Action for Youth plays a prominent
role in youth development. It focuses
on measures to strengthen national
capacities in the field of youth and to
increase the quality and quantity of
opportunities available to young
people for full, effective and
constructive participation in society.
The United Nations Programme on
Youth serves as the Focal Point on
Youth at the UN. It undertakes a range
of activities to promote youth
development including supporting
intergovernmental policy-making,
conducting analytical research and
increasing the effectiveness of the
UN’s work in youth development by
strengthening collaboration and
exchange among UN entities through
the Inter-Agency Network on Youth
Development.

courtsey: www.gozonews.com