International Year of Youth

This year's International Youth Day on 12 August marks the beginning of the International Year of Youth (IYY), which will run until August 2011. Twenty-five years after the first IYY in 1985, the United Nations is once again shining the spotlight on the energy, imagination and initiative of young people in overcoming global challenges.

Worldwide, governments, civil society, individuals, communities and Green Wave participants are invited to support local and international activities that celebrate the Year and promote the IYY theme 'Dialogue and Mutual Understanding.' The Year is an opportunity for young people and adults to work together in achieving the ideals of peace, respect for human rights and freedoms and solidarity.

The official slogan of the IYY, 'Our Year, Our Voice,' captures an important goal of the year. The IYY aims to make youth perspectives heard, especially on key issues such as the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which include eliminating extreme poverty and hunger, stopping biodiversity loss, and increasing access to education and health care, all by 2015.

For more information, visit the official IYY website, become a fan on facebook, and follow IYY events on twitter.