(VNF) - 2017 International Youth Day on the theme of “Youth Empowerment for the Country’s Development” will be co-organized by the U.N. Working group on Adolescent (UNGAY) and Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union on August 11^th in Hanoi.

The theme of International Youth Day 2017 is “Youth Building Peace” which is dedicated to celebrating young people’s contributions to conflict prevention and transformation as well as inclusion, social justice, and sustainable peace.

Young people’s inclusion is key to building a peaceful environment for a nation’s development. The process of social inclusion for youth, including participation in decision-making as well as access to quality education, health care and basic services promotes their role as active contributors to society and affords young people with opportunities to reach their potential and achieve their goals. When youth are excluded from any process, a country loses a significant resource for development.

Vietnam is experiencing a period of demographic pidend, recording the highest proportion of young people in the country’s history. According to the Vietnam Population Change and Family Planning Survey 2015, adolescents and youth aged 10-29 account for about 30 per cent of the total population. This demographic window of opportunity presents Vietnam with a timely and unique opportunity to plan for this population transformation and make its new generation of young people the drivers of social and economic progress.

Vietnam reached middle-income status as a country in 2010. With significant economic achievements, Vietnam has made considerable efforts in improving the participation of youth in the development of youth related policies and programs. However, the lack of recognition to the importance of youth empowerment from policy makers and youth themselves has become barriers to the meaningful participation of young people. Hence, gaps between policies and realistic needs of young people remain and prevent them from reaching their full potentials in contributing to the country development.

In this context, the International Youth Day will be taking place, bringing youth issues to the attention of the international community and celebrating the potential of youth as partners in today’s global society.

The main event will take place from 8 am – 12 pm on Friday (August 11^th) at the Vietnam Youth Academy (58 Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, Dong Da District).

The event’s main activities will include youth performances; youth inspirational speakers themed “Youth Empowerment for the development of the country”; open debate on Empowering Vietnamese youth for the development of the country; and policy dialogue between young people and policy makers, national assembly, and U.N. about challenges that young people face and proposed solutions.

Mr. Kamal Malhotra, U.N. Resident Coordinator in Vietnam and Mr. Nguyen Trong Thua, Vice Minister of Home Affairs will be attended the event.

Everyone is welcome to visit the youth exhibition and display booths in the outdoor area.

12 August was first designated International Youth Day by the U.N. General Assembly in 1999, and serves as an annual celebration of the role of young women and men as essential partners in change, and an opportunity to raise awareness of challenges and problems facing the world’s youth.

Thematic discussions and information campaigns will take place across the world, to engage both Member States and the general public to understand the needs of young people, to implement policies to help them overcome the challenges they face, and to encourage young people into the decision-making process./.

Minh Chau