International Youth Day 2015: Empowering Young Voices Against Global Poverty

Strategic Insights -

International Development Secretary Justine Greening highlighted the importance of amplifying the voices of young people in addressing global poverty, particularly in the context of International Youth Day 2015. The United Nations celebrates this day on August 12 each year to recognize the contributions of the world's youth to their communities and global society. As the UN General Assembly prepares to adopt seventeen new global goals aimed at ending extreme poverty, Secretary Greening emphasized the crucial role of young people in the fight against poverty.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK is working to improve the lives of children in developing countries by getting them into education, creating jobs, and tackling issues like female genital mutilation and child marriage.
  • The Department for International Development aims to protect and empower young people across the developing world through various initiatives, including supporting 11 million children into primary and lower secondary school, training 190,000 teachers, and strengthening laws to tackle early marriage and female genital mutilation.
  • The International Youth Day theme, "Youth Civic Engagement," highlights the importance of young people's voices being heard in high-level discussions, including at the Girl Summit 2014, and their participation in programs like the International Citizenship Service (ICS), with over 15,000 young people having participated so far.
  • Secretary Greening aims to engage with young people to shape a better future and provide them with opportunities to make their voices heard, becoming a powerful force for change in the fight against global poverty.
  • The UK's efforts to support young people are part of a broader strategy to address global poverty, with the UN General Assembly set to adopt new global goals in September.

Statistics:

  • 11 million children supported into primary and lower secondary school
  • 190,000 teachers trained to support education
  • Over 15,000 young people participated in the International Citizenship Service (ICS) program since its inception
  • More than 15,000 ICS returned volunteers continue to be positive agents of change

Sources:

  • "M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX" (August 12, 2015)
  • United Nations (International Youth Day, 12 August 2015)
  • Department for International Development (UK)