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International Youth Day takes place on 12 August every year, bringing youth issues to the attention of the international community and celebrating the potential of youth as partners in today’s global society.

12 August was first designated International Youth Day by the UN General Assembly in 1999, and serves as an annual celebration of the role of young women and men as essential partners in change, and an opportunity to raise awareness of challenges and problems facing the world’s youth.

Thematic discussions and information campaigns take place across the world, to engage both Member States and the general public to understand the needs of young people, to implement policies to help them overcome the challenges they face, and to encourage young people into the decision-making process.