INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY

11/08/2005 - International Youth Day will be observed on 12 August in countries around the world. This year's theme is “Making Commitments Matter: Reviewing Ten Years of the World Programme of Action on Youth”. And exactly to review achievements in the implementation of the Programme of Action the 60th Session of the General Assembly will hold special meetings on youth issues in October.
UNEP recognizes the critical role young people can and must play in addressing environmental issues since young people have a stake in the state of the environment today and in the future. They also have valuable contributions to make in environmental negotiations. By involving young people in environmental and sustainable development issues, UNEP seeks to foster a generation of environmentally conscious citizens who will better influence decision-making processes and act responsibly to create a sustainable world.

Under its long-term Tunza strategy, UNEP aims at engaging and involving young people worldwide in environmental issues and debates. (Tunza” means “to treat with care or affection” in Kiswahili, a subregional language in Eastern Africa with links to many other languages). The strategy seeks to enhance, inspire and enable the involvement of children and youth in sustainable development. The strategy focuses on four thematic areas:

• Awareness building

• Capacity Building

• Information Exchange

• Facilitating the involvement of young people in environmental decision making.

UNEP started its work with young people in 1985, which was designated International Youth Year. Since then, it has developed several global and regional initiatives, activities and networks.