Friday, 10 February 2012
On 18 December 2009, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution A/RES/64/134 proclaiming the year commencing on 12 August 2010 as the International Year of Youth: Dialogue and Mutual Understanding. The International Year of Youth was first celebrated in 1985, and on its 10th anniversary the UN General Assembly adopted the World Programme of Action for Youth. The World Programme of Action for Youth provides a policy framework for youth, governments, and youth organizations on how they can improve the lives of youth.
Please visit http://social.un.org/youthyear/index.html to read more on the International Year of Youth.
Youth, defined as those between the ages of 15 and 24, makes up 18 % of the worlds’ total population and constitutes 1.2 billion people. 87 % of them live in third world countries. To promote the ideals of peace, respect for human rights, reaching the Millennium Development Goals, and promoting solidarity, the International Year of Youth was proclaimed under the slogan Our Year-Our Voice.
In February 2011 Disney’s “High School Musical” Star, TV host, and first ever United Nations Youth Champion for the International Year of Youth, Monique Coleman, embarked on a world tour to give voice to young people. According to Coleman, the purpose of the world tour is to see, and share, through social media what young people all over the planet are experiencing and to connect people in the developing and developed worlds. “My hope is to inspire, motivate, and empower young people to become involved and to highlight the amazing achievements of youth across the globe”, Coleman says.
The member states of the UN recognize that youth are crucial actors in addressing global challenges, such as fighting poverty, promoting development, social change and technological innovation. Their participation and engagement must be encouraged. Youth participation leads to better decisions, and is an integral part of a democratic society. Organizations, governments and civil society are encouraged to organize activities that promote youth participation in all sectors of society and to better understand their needs and concerns.
For updates on the International Year of Youth and Youth Champion Monique Coleman’s trip around the world, join us on Facebook. Please visit www.gimmemo.com for more information on Youth Champion Monique Coleman’s online talk show GimmeMo. If you wish to see the exact dates of the world tour please visit GIMME MO Tour Dates.
Tour dates in Europe
13-15 April Thessaloniki and Athens, Greece
28-29 May Helsinki, Finland
Your Move Youth sports festival http://tapahtumat.yourmove.fi/suurtapahtuma
Maailma Kylässä festival www.maailmakylassa.fi
30 May-1 June Stockholm, Sweden
5-8 June Brussels, Belgium (more info)
Word environment Day Event in central Brussels www.unep.org
Brussels Millennium Film Festival http://www.festivalmillenium.org/en/
9 June, Geneva, Switzerland
100th Session of the International Labour Conference
UN Youth Champion Monique Coleman in Thessaloniki, Greece
The United Nations in Brussels
The United Nations team brings together 26 specialised agencies, funds and programmes spanning the development, humanitarian and human rights work of the UN. The team works to build understanding and support for UN system activities within the EU institutions and amongst a wider public in Europe.
The Brussels based United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe - UNRIC provides information on UN activities to the countries of the region. It also provides liaison with institutions of the European Union in the field of information. Its outreach activities extend to all segments of society and joint campaigns, projects and events are organized with partners including the EU, governments, the media, NGOs, schools and local authorities.
United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC Brussels)
Residence Palace, Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 155, Block C2,7th and 8th floor, Brussels 1040, Belgium
Tel.: +32 2 788 8484 / Fax: 32 2 788 8485