 12 August 2013 -- In 1999, the UN General Assembly established International Youth Day as part of the UN World Programme of Action for Youth. The Programme works to strengthen countries' capacities to support the human rights of young people and to provide them with opportunities to participate in society fully, effectively and constructively. In particular, it concentrates on 15 priority areas, including education, the environment and health.
This year, the Day's theme is "Youth Migration: Moving Development Forward". It recognises that young people make up a significant share of the global number of international migrants. In 2010, there were an estimated 27 million international young migrants.
Migration often offers valuable opportunities and contributes to the development of communities and society at large, but can also pose risks and lead to unacceptable situations such as discrimination and exploitation. This year's observance is intended to raise awareness of these opportunities and risks, share knowledge and information stemming from recent research and analysis on this topic, and engage young people in discussions on their migration experiences.
Source: United Nations Information Service
Selected learning materials
Study Guide on the Rights of Children & Youth
This guide introduces the main issues, international standards and protection mechanisms to protect and promote the human rights of children and youth.
Our Homes, Our Lives, Ourselves: A Fun Book to Help Young People Get the Issues Right Concerning Women in Human Settlements Development (UN Centre for Human Settlement)
A booklet intended to help teenagers get an idea what it is like to be a woman. The booklet includes a board game and sections on finance, land, information, networking, environment.
Resources for Human Rights Education in the Euro-Mediterranean Region: A practical introduction to methodologies in non-formal education (Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network)
This resource aims to present a range of methodologies for programme coordinators and trainers working with youth in non-formal education settings who want to initiate, build on or improve existing activities or programmes. Ten methodologies are presented, each organised in three parts.
COMPASS: A Manual on Human Rights Education with Young People (Council of Europe)
Manual provides youth leaders, teachers and other educators, with concrete ideas and practical activities to engage, involve and motivate young people to form a positive awareness of human rights. It promotes a broad understanding of HRE programmes and activities that focus on promoting equality in human dignity and sees young people as a resource.
International treaties on the rights of children and youth:
- Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)
- Simplified version of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
- ILO Convention (No. 138) concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment (1973)
- United Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty (1990)
Useful links
Organisations that promote and protect the rights of youth
UNICEF: Voices of Youth
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