UN launches International Year of Youth
By IANSFriday, August 13, 2010
NEW YORK - The UN Friday called on governments, civil society, individuals and communities worldwide to support activities for children as it launched the International Year of Youth.
Members of the international community marked the launch of the International Year of Youth, which will run till Aug 11, 2011, in the United Nations General Assembly Hall with an eclectic array of speeches, musical performances, videos and poetry.
“In a world in which different peoples and traditions are coming into closer, more frequent contact than ever before, it is crucial that young people learn how to listen intently, empathise with others, acknowledge divergent opinions, and be able to resolve conflicts,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who kicked off the launch, said.
He called for bolstered efforts “to include young people in policies, programmes and decision-making processes that benefit their futures and ours”.
Worldwide, there are more than 1.2 billion people in the ages of 15 and 24, accounting for about 18 percent of the global population.
The year aims to promote the ideals of peace, respect for human rights and solidarity across cultures, religions, civilisations and generations.
