WUNRN
International Youth Day
12 August 2008
Theme
for International Youth Day 2008 - YOUTH AND CLIMATE CHANGE:
TIME FOR ACTION
Message
of the UN Secretary General on IYD2008
English | Français | Español | Русский | عربي | 汉语
The
selection of this theme for International Youth Day (IYD) 2008 is in
recognition of the fact that climate change has already begun to devastate
communities and deepen the effects of poverty and hunger. This situation
complicates the challenges that youth face. However, young people are
increasingly adding their voices to the call for action on climate change.
It
is important to actively engage youth in areas of preparedness, risk reduction,
adaptation and mitigation:
- Preparedness
and disaster risk reduction is about building individual and community
capacities so that the likelihood of climate change-induced disasters is
reduced and that people are able to respond promptly, expeditiously and
effectively.
- Adaptation
entails actions that moderate harm, or exploit benefits, of climate
change.
- Mitigation
entails actions that minimizes or cushions the adverse impacts of climate
change.
International
Youth Day gives the world an opportunity to recognize the potential of youth,
to celebrate their achievements, and plan for ways to better engage young
people to successfully take action in the development of their societies. It
presents a unique opportunity for all stakeholders to rally together to ensure
that young people are included in decision-making at all levels.
Find
out how young people can find the social space to participate, influence, and
benefit from global and local responses to climate change!
- How you can
commemorate International Youth Day 2008
- What
is happening around the world to mark the Day
- Information
resources on climate change
How you can commemorate International
Youth Day 2008
Team
up! Create
a strategic youth team in your own community. This is a great opportunity to
rally support and get key stakeholders involved - Governments, non-governmental
organizations, academic institutions, businesses, municipal authorities –
everyone has a role to play in making climate stabilization a priority! Find
out more about youth organizations that exist in your community or if your
National Youth Council or other local youth organizations that are taking
meaningful action on climate change.
Organize! A major benefit to
International Youth Day is that it can be used to forge new partnerships and
launch practical action to rally Governments and the private sector to act and
implement concrete solutions. Conduct research on how your local community contributes
to climate change or plan a local project to promote sustainable development
strategies in your community.
Take
action!
Hold forums, public discussions and campaigns to find out more about how young
people can act to address climate change issues. Research and evaluate what has
been done successfully in other communities. Often, International Youth Day can
be used to raise awareness about climate change issues that are important to
young people through newspapers, radio and the Internet. The media are
important partners that can greatly increase public awareness on youth action
for climate change.
Celebrate!
Use
International Youth Day for an event to highlight issues related to climate
change or showcase the outcome of your project in your community. Invite
Government and local UN officials, community and business leaders to
participate in your event. Celebrate International Youth Day 2008!
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