International Youth Day 2018

10 August 2018

By Negele Hospedales – Youth Engagement Executive, 12th August 2018

August 12th, 2018 is International Youth Day! First declared in 1999 by the UN General Assembly, International Youth Day exists to celebrate the achievements of young people as allies in creating change, raising awareness and presenting solutions to challenges faced by what is said to be ‘the largest youth population ever’, at 1.8 billion 10 to 24-year-olds. According to UN figures, 1 in 10 children live in a conflict zone, and 24 million of them are out of school due to various social issues ranging from political instability to labour market challenges – all of which International Youth Day wishes to bring awareness to.

The motto of the day’s event is ‘Safe Spaces For Youth’ (stylized as #safespacesforyouth). Similar to the principals of We are Futures’s new under-25’s Young Leaders Network (YLN), the idea that free-form expressionism can be harnessed to create change is at the forefront of this initiative. The UN explains: “Youth need safe spaces where they can come together, engage in activities related to their diverse needs and interests, participate in decision making processes and freely express themselves.”

For brands and business, young people represent not only a powerful portion of an emerging market but also the movers-and-shakers who are already beginning to influence big industry and drive innovation. While businesses seek out to further understand young people, it is equally important to ensure that their interaction is more than insights and the forging of a symbiotic relationship. The Young Leaders Network aims to assist young people with the a platform to use their creativity as a means for change, while allowing them an accessible new way to have their voices heard.

Find out more about about Young Leaders Network here, and keep up with YLN on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Interested in joining our Young Leaders Network? Let us know here and the team will be in touch.