YWCA Palestine International Youth Day Message 2024

On the 12th of August every year, youth around the world have been commemorating their International Day, which was endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly. The resolution, adopted in 1998, has brought youth issues to the attention of the international community. It also champions the potential of youth as partners in today’s global society.

This day provides the opportunity for the youth to celebrate their voices, actions, and initiatives, and to publicize their meaningful participation in the local and international community.  Different events are taking place worldwide on this day to raise awareness of the importance of youth participation in human, political, economic, and social processes.

The theme of International Youth Day 2024 is “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development”, to highlight digital transformation and its role in accelerating sustainable development, as digital technologies such as mobile devices, services, and artificial intelligence are instrumental in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Digital technologies and data contribute to at least 70% of the 169 SDG targets, while potentially reducing the cost of achieving these goals by up to USD 55 trillion, according to the United Nations.

YWCA Palestine believes in the role of youth, especially young women, in digital innovation to confront challenges and the difficult political, economic and social reality. Through several projects, it has worked to support youth led community initiatives that have a positive impact on society, including projects that seek to enhance digital inclusion, confront electronic blackmail, and digital advocacy for national and community issues, and human rights issues related to women and young women in Palestine.

In parallel, YWCA Palestine follows a participatory learning approach to promote all youth sectors and interests, holding conferences and workshops related to their issues such as UN Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security, to promote youth rights.

YWCA Palestine believes that Palestinian youth should enjoy all their rights, and ensure that they live and prosper in freedom and just peace, and activate their potential and contributions to the development and support of their society, like the rest of the youth and peoples around the world.

On the occasion of the “International Youth Day”, the Palestinian youth renew their call on international and human rights organizations and the global community to work together to guarantee their human rights and provide protection, resources and opportunities for the Palestinian people in general and youth in particular, and to activate the relevant international resolutions and ensure a free, dignified and just life.

On the national level, the Palestinian youth call for increasing the active participation of youth in official political, economic and social positions and all decision-making circles to include youth representatives and clear mechanisms to activate their role and follow up on their needs and vital issues. They also affirm the importance of implementing international resolutions related to the “Youth, Peace, and Security” Agenda, particularly UNSCR 2250.

We also affirm the importance of concerted efforts between the public and private sectors and international and UN organizations to reduce unemployment, provide job opportunities for youth, and encourage vocational education and training programs as an important tool for entering the labor market in light of the increasing unemployment among university graduates with academic specializations.

We encourage all the joint work and making every possible effort to support and empower young women and men, and raise their awareness of their human, political, economic and social rights, through our various programs and in cooperation with local and international partners.

From Palestine, Happy International Youth Day

* This message was prepared in collaboration with a group of young women and men who benefit from our programs.