Cultivating Peace And Wellness On International Youth Day This August
Today’s youth will someday control society’s businesses, governments, and policies. In addition, youth can inspire other generations to learn more about topics they may not have considered due to generational differences and trends. Below, explore the history of International Youth Day and how you can celebrate this August and beyond.
What is International Youth Day each August?
International Youth Day (IYD), observed annually on August 12, was designated by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 2000 to raise awareness of the cultural, legal, and social challenges facing young people worldwide.
Each year has a unique theme, providing nuance to the campaign and guidance for programming.
In 2025, IYD centers on the theme of “Youth Advancing Multilateral Cooperation Through Technology and Partnerships,” which underscores the central role of young people in shaping global collaboration through digital innovation.
A brief history of International Youth Day
The origins of IYD trace back to the 1998 World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth in Lisbon, Portugal. This international youth conference called for an annual global observance to serve as a platform for governments, youth organizations, and the UN to raise awareness of youth issues. The UN General Assembly endorsed the proposal in Resolution 54/120 later that year.
Over the past quarter-century, this observance has evolved into a global movement. Activities range from roundtables to workshops to digital campaigns. Each yearly theme, from environmental stewardship in 2023 to digital empowerment in 2024, has aimed to align with emerging needs and voices from youth across various regions. In 2025, attention has turned to the expanded roles young people play in leveraging technology to help all generations solve global problems collaboratively.
The role of the United Nations General Assembly in promoting intergenerational peace and understanding
The United Nations aims to serve as a bridge across generations, with IYD being one part of this mission alongside programs like the United Nations youth fund. By highlighting youth perspectives on global issues like climate change, mental health, digital inclusion, and other factors, the UN positions youth voices not just as future beneficiaries but as current agents of change.
Specific youth peace and wellness initiatives from the United Nations General Assembly
The United Nations General Assembly’s agenda increasingly features youth-led mechanisms like advisory boards, digital summits, and cross-sector partnerships. When youth drive content and methods like tech incubators or digital policy platforms, they can elevate intergenerational cooperation and cement their seat at decision-making tables, helping ensure people from all demographics are heard and understood.
Democratic engagement may also be strengthened by this approach. Youth participating in UN forums may expand their civic competencies and learn new skills, while institutions and researchers can gain insight into new generations and how modern youth might be thinking or behaving.
Four ways to celebrate International Youth Day as an adult
Below are four ways you can celebrate IYD as an adult. These approaches may also help you inspire the youth in your life to get involved.
Mentor or volunteer with a youth organization in August or year-round
Many community youth organizations need volunteer support or other types of community involvement. You can support these organizations by sponsoring them, volunteering, or helping your own children sign up as participants. You might look for events or organizations to sponsor that could reflect 2025’s IYD theme, such as hackathons, design challenges, or leadership workshops.
Learn about the various challenges facing today’s youth
Learn about the issues facing today’s youth, such as fears about gun violence, rising mental health challenges, and climate change. Learn how adults and older generations can support youth in these efforts by attending a lecture, reading recent research, and talking to the youth in your life. It can help to ask open-ended questions and be open to learning something you might not understand at first.
Share empowering youth stories online
Many youth stories can be empowering to people of any age. This August, you might look up empowering stories for Youth Day and share them on your social media pages. Consider sharing stories related to 2025’s theme, such as on topics of technology, digital literacy, and mental health. You may also share personal stories, but be sure to get consent from anyone in your life before posting about them online.
Host or attend an event
You can host or attend an event for Youth Day by organizing a fundraiser, attending an existing one, or helping youth in your life create their own Youth Day event. You might consider events like mental health walks, read-a-thons, lectures, workshops, and digital mental health program learning.
Youth in focus: Youth mental health statistics
Part of the goal of amplifying the voices of younger generations is improving the mental health of all generations. Below are some youth mental health statistics to consider this IYD:
- One in six youth aged six to 17 in the US is diagnosed with a mental health disorder annually, with nearly half of all lifetime mental illness occurring by age 14.
- Social media may play a significant role in youth mental health today. Pew Research Center and the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that 44% of parents are concerned about their children’s social media use. Still, many teens also report that they find social connection and creative expression online, despite the potential drawbacks.
The importance of youth action in improving mental health outcomes
Research validates youth engagement as a potent avenue for improving mental health. For example, consider:
- Youth-led participatory action research (YPAR). This type of research empowers teens to define and study their own mental health needs. Studies link YPAR to increased self-determination, leadership, peer support, and critical thinking skills.
- Digital health interventions. Some mental health and wellness apps and websites can help healthcare providers and parents screen for and mitigate the effects of adverse childhood experiences and mental health symptoms.
- Skill-centered programs. Programs focused on digital literacy, AI, adaptability, and creative thinking can align with positive youth development frameworks that may help increase life satisfaction and reduce high-risk behavior.
How youth can get involved in International Youth Day
If you’re the parent of a young person or are someone under 18 who wants to make a difference in your community or the world for IYD, consider the following options:
- Join or initiate a youth digital pathways hackathon event
- Lead or join a peer-based action group
- Advocate at school or in local government for courses and resources that can prepare youth for a better future
- Co-design mental health tools with professionals, such as by collaborating in app development or awareness campaigns to tackle specific disparities
- Attend an official World Youth Day event
- Post an inspiring story from your life online
- Watch positive stories online from other people your age and share them with your friends
- Join a youth club for sustainable development, human and planetary health, or promoting peace on Earth
Youth organizations and programs making a difference
Youth Day positions young people to raise awareness of cultural and legal issues facing specific groups, like young women, young people of color, LGBTQ+ youth, and other communities. If you’re looking for a youth program to donate to, spread awareness of, or work with to engage young peacebuilders, consider the following:
- The International Youth Foundation (IYF): an organization that collaborates with youth board members and runs climate-centered programs
- AFS Intercultural Programs: an organization that supports virtual events and youth summits aligned with IYD themes
- Youth WellTech: hosts a yearly sprint to engage youth worldwide in co-creating solutions for mental health challenges
- The World Health Organization
- The World Youth Forum
- The Indian Youth Café
Mental health support options for families
Youth mental health statistics highlight a need for more mental health resources worldwide. Looking into online therapy through a specific platform like BetterHelp for adults or TeenCounseling for teens aged 13 to 19 may be helpful in bridging the gap.
Online therapy allows clients to choose between phone, video, or live chat sessions with a licensed provider. In addition, clients can meet with their therapist once a week, send messages to them any time, use journaling prompts, and sign up for complementary (optional) support groups. Studies also indicate that online therapy can often be an effective form of treatment and support for teenagers and young people.
Takeaway
International Youth Day is an observance celebrated worldwide to bring awareness to youth issues. This year, the theme is centered around digital literacy and technological growth. However, this day can also be a helpful time to learn more about the current struggles youth may be facing today. For specific and personalized guidance, you might also consider reaching out to a therapist online or in your area.
What can we do for International Youth Day?
There are many different ways to get involved in International Youth Day. Some examples include joining a hackathon event, participating in a peer-based action group, or advocating at school or in local government for resources that can help prepare young people for a brighter future. You could also make arrangements to attend the next International Youth Conference or join an organization that aims to empower young people, like the Indian Youth Cafe or World Youth Forum. Achieving sustainable development goals for youth participation in cultivating a better future will require widespread participation from today’s global society across this age group.
What is the difference between World Youth Day and International Youth Day?
World Youth Day is a celebration of the Catholic faith by young people who identify as Catholic around the world. International Youth Day is a secular observance created by the United Nations General Assembly that aims to empower young people to get involved in efforts to address global problems (including everything from transforming food systems to youth innovation for addressing the impacts of technology). So while these two celebrations have similar names, they are distinct.
What is the main purpose of International Youth Day?
According to the official website, the main purpose of IYD is to “draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding youth.” It’s about raising awareness among the international community about these challenges and galvanizing young people to take action. The UN General Assembly first declared International Youth Day to be official in the late 1990s.
What is the slogan of International Youth Day?
Each year, International Youth Day has a different theme. The theme for 2025 is “Youth Advancing Multilateral Cooperation Through Technology and Partnerships.” To reach this theme’s sustainable development goals requires youth participation around the world, which may enable the achievement of major objectives like improving food systems and diplomatic relations.
How to celebrate International Youth Day in school?
Your school may host cultural events, hackathons, or peer support groups in observance of International Youth Day. If not, you may feel empowered to propose such an event that you believe would benefit youth at your school.
What is the interesting fact about International Youth Day?
The International Youth Day website shares a few interesting facts about how this observance got started. One is that the idea for IYD came about in 1992 by youth participants of the first session of the World Youth Forum of the United Nations System in Austria.
What symbol is often associated with International Youth Day?
There doesn't appear to be one set symbol associated with International Youth Day. Sometimes, the United Nations logo appears on official communications about this day. Graphics that involve silhouettes of young people raising their hands are also common.
Which color is often associated with Youth Day?
The current graphic for International Youth Day on the UN website is blue and green. Different years and different themes may come with different colors.
What are the ages for International Youth Day?
In general, participants under age 18 are those that International Youth Day initiatives tend to focus on. However, it's typically possible for a person of any age to get involved with and support IYD programs and events.
What are the activities of International Youth Day 2025?
The theme for IYD 2025 is “Youth Advancing Multilateral Cooperation Through Technology and Partnerships.” As a result, many of the activities involved technology, like hackathons.
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