United Nations International Youth Year

United Nations International Youth Year The United Nations declared 1985 as International Youth Year to mark a global focus on youth issues and to coincide with the Third World Youth Festival and the World Conference on Youth 1985. The initiative sought to mobilize agencies such as the United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Children's Fund, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, International Labour Organization and the United Nations General Assembly alongside regional bodies like the European Commission and the Organization of African Unity. National governments, non-governmental organizations such as United Nations Volunteers and international institutions including the World Health Organization, International Telecommunication Union, and World Bank participated in coordination and programming.

Background and designation

The designation followed earlier UN observances including International Year of the Child and built on precedent set by the United Nations General Assembly resolutions on social development and youth policy endorsed by member states such as United States, United Kingdom, Soviet Union, China, India and regional actors like the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. The Secretary-General at the time, Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, announced the proclamation after consultations with the United Nations Secretariat, the Economic and Social Council, and representatives from the Non-Aligned Movement, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization parliamentary observers, and youth delegations from the African Union predecessor bodies. Preparatory meetings occurred at venues including United Nations Headquarters in New York City, UNESCO offices in Paris, and at regional commissions like the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean and the Economic Commission for Africa.

Themes and objectives

The official tagline "Participation, Development, Peace" echoed policy frameworks advanced by agencies such as the United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Children's Fund, United Nations Population Fund, International Labour Organization and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Objectives emphasized youth participation in processes led by institutions like the United Nations General Assembly, representation in bodies such as the International Labour Organization governing structures, enhancement of vocational pathways linked to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund project priorities, and measures addressing public health priorities championed by the World Health Organization and UNAIDS precursor efforts. The agenda also referenced prior international instruments including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as normative touchstones.

Global activities and events

Major events included the World Conference on Youth 1985 which brought delegations from member states such as Brazil, Nigeria, Japan, Canada, Australia and organizations like Youth International Party, World Federation of Democratic Youth, International Coordinating Committee on Youth, and regional youth councils. Parallel programming featured seminars hosted by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and United Nations Development Programme offices, exhibitions organized by the United Nations Office at Geneva, and technical workshops convened by the International Labour Organization and World Health Organization on employment, health, and civic engagement. Cultural festivals took place in capitals including Nairobi, London, New Delhi, Mexico City, and Moscow with participation from entities such as UNESCO World Heritage Committee affiliates, International Youth Hostel Federation, and national delegations to the United Nations General Assembly.

National and local implementation

Member states implemented the Year through ministries and agencies such as the Ministry of Youth and Sports (India), the Department of Health and Human Services (United States), the Ministry of Education (Japan), and provincial bodies in federations like Brazil and Canada. Local NGOs including chapters of Save the Children, Plan International, World YMCA, YWCA, and networks linked to the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement coordinated grassroots events, training programs, and policy forums. University student unions at institutions such as University of Oxford, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Tokyo, University of Nairobi and University of São Paulo organized symposia, while municipal councils in cities like Paris, Cairo, Jakarta, and Buenos Aires supported youth councils and pilot projects aligned with funding from multilateral lenders including the World Bank and bilateral donors like the United States Agency for International Development and Overseas Development Administration.

Impact and legacy

The Year influenced subsequent global initiatives and instruments debated in bodies such as the United Nations General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council and informed later gatherings including the International Youth Year Summit style meetings and youth chapters in summits like the Earth Summit and forums connected to the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. It strengthened institutional linkages among agencies like UNICEF, UNDP, UNESCO and the International Labour Organization, catalyzed national youth policies in countries ranging from Sweden to Kenya, and contributed to the establishment or empowerment of youth councils and commissions in jurisdictions such as Ontario and New South Wales. The legacy persists in contemporary mechanisms for youth engagement within the United Nations Youth Delegate Programme, the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth, and policy pathways influencing instruments like the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and forums of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.

Category:United Nations observances