International Youth Day
International Youth Day, which is celebrated on 12 August, is of special significance in South Asia where almost 40 per cent (615 million) of the region’s population of over 1.5 billion are children and adolescents. Over the next 15 years, the region expects its share of the global youth population to grow from 25 per cent to 28 per cent. This year’s theme, “Be seen, be heard, youth participation for development”, is especially important in South Asia where the mixed blessings of rapid economic growth but low social development coexist throughout the region. Young people are the region’s most valuable asset and can become an engine for the region’s sustainable social and economic development if harnessed properly. International Youth Day is an opportunity to spread awareness about the challenges faced by the large youth population of South Asia, and to encourage youth participation for development. Realizing South Asian youth’s rights to education, health, food, decent work as well as social justice and participation is of utmost importance in this region of rapid economic growth.
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