UN Celebrates Young People's Role in Ousting Dictators on World Youth Day

The United Nations celebrated International Youth Day on August 12, 2011, marking the culmination of the International Year of Youth. In a message, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon underscored the significant role young people have played in recent times in overthrowing dictatorships, citing their open minds, energy, and courage. He called on the international community to invest in young people and provide them with education, freedom, and opportunities to build a better future. UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova also highlighted the power of young people to drive change, emphasizing the importance of quality education as the starting point for their full engagement.

Key Takeaways:

• The UN celebrated International Youth Day on August 12, 2011, marking the culmination of the International Year of Youth.
• Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon acknowledged the significant role young people have played in overthrowing dictatorships over the past year.
• Young people have been mobilizing to build a better future, achieving "stunning results" and sending "waves of hope" across regions and around the world.
• Ban Ki-moon stressed the importance of investing in young people and providing them with education, freedom, and opportunities.
• International community efforts are needed to expand the horizons of opportunity for young people and answer their legitimate demands for dignity, development, and decent work.
• Failing to invest in youth is considered a false economy, according to Ban Ki-moon.
• The "youth quakes" in the Arab world have shown the ability of young people to drive change, according to UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova.
• Ms. Bokova emphasized the importance of quality education as the starting point for full and positive engagement by young people.
• The role of young people in the struggle for democratic participation has shaken regimes seemingly impervious to pressure.

Statistics:

• Over one billion young people worldwide lack the education, freedom, and opportunities they deserve.
• Young people have achieved significant results in overthrowing dictatorships and driving change across regions and around the world.
• 100% of the world's more than one billion young people face various constraints, including lack of education and freedom.

Sources:

• United Nations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's message on International Youth Day, August 12, 2011.
• UNESCO, Director-General Irina Bokova's message on International Youth Day, August 12, 2011.