The theme of International Youth Day 2017 is Youth Building Peace.
Since the adoption of Security Council Resolution 2250 in 2015, there is growing recognition that as agents of change, young people are critical actors in conflict prevention and sustaining peace. International Youth Day 2017 is dedicated to celebrating young people’s contributions to conflict prevention and transformation as well as inclusion, social justice, and sustainable peace.
The current generation of young people are the largest in history and young people often comprise the majority in countries marked by armed conflict or unrest, therefore considering the needs and aspirations of youth in matters of peace and security is a demographic imperative.
Another Security Council Resolution, Resolution 2282 (2016) recognises that the scale and challenges of sustaining peace requires partnerships between stakeholders, including youth organisations. It also reaffirms the important role youth can play in deterring and resolving conflicts, and are key constituents in ensuring the success of both peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development committed to fostering peaceful and inclusive societies and affirmed that “[s]ustainable development cannot be realised without peace and security”. Goal 16 aims to ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels. The World Programme of Action for Youth, which provides a policy framework and practical guidelines to improve the situation of young people, also encourages “[p]romoting [the] active involvement of youth in maintaining peace and security”.
Young people’s inclusion in the peace and security agenda and in society more broadly, is key to building and sustaining peace. The process of social inclusion for youth, including participation in decision-making as well as access to quality education, health care and basic services promotes their role as active contributors to society and affords young people with opportunities to reach their potential and achieve their goals. When youth are excluded from political, economic and social spheres and processes, it can be a risk factor for violence and violent forms of conflict. Therefore, identifying and addressing the social exclusion of young people is a precondition for sustaining peace.
Commemorate International Youth Day 2017
Join us; learn more; organise!

YOUNG PEOPLE OF IRELAND, JOIN US IN DUBLIN ON TUESDAY AUGUST 15TH
Hear about the new EU Youth Strategy and how you can get involved!
Apply to be a delegate for the next EU Youth Conference in Estonia Oct 23-26.
Meet the new UN Youth Delegates and help them prepare for their meetings in New York in September.
Find out about our Changemakers Academy two day training in September.
Get updates on all of the work that Young Voices have been involved in across Ireland and in Europe and discover how you could take on roles within the YV movement!
Who:
Young People aged 15 to 30, who want to have their voices heard! Who are interested in positive change and playing a role in creating positive change.
When:
Tuesday 15th August 1.30pm to 4.30pm.
Where:
Dublin City Centre (Pearse Street Library)
Why:
To give young people an opportunity to connect with the work of Young Voices and get involved.
Deadline for registration is Friday 11th August. You cannot attend without being registered.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/young-voices-european-youth-strategy-tickets-36482499137
Under 18? You must fill out a consent form so please email us for a copy and then scan/take picture and send to youngvoices@nyci.ie by the 11th August.
Youth Workers attending with young people will be asked to remain with young people for the duration of the event.
Website: https://www.youth.ie/youngvoices
If you have any further questions don’t hesitate to contact us youngvoices@nyci.ie
See www.youth.ie/youngvoices for more info on the journey so far.
These conversations are part of an 18 month process which links with the EU Presidencies of Estonia, Bulgaria and Austria.
Additional Information
The official commemorative event to celebrate International Youth Day at the United Nations Headquarters in New York will take place on Friday, 11 August 2017. To learn more about or watch it live, click here!
To organise your own event or activity, check out this toolkit of ideas here!
To add your event to the Map of Events click here!
To learn more about the issue of youth building peace, click here!
Follow online:
@UN4Youth
/UN4Youth
Join in the global conversations on Twitter, using the hashtags #YouthDay, #Youth4Peace, and #ActOn2250!
Word Clouds
What does PEACE mean to youth?

What does SECURITY mean to youth?
