A day by and for the young
International Youth Day is celebrated globally every year on August 12 from December 17, 1999.
It is a day chosen to celebrate and support youth in their initiatives, actions and dreams.
This year's motto is Youth Engagement for Global Action, which translates into the commitment of young people as agents of action at the international level. In 2021 the aim is to focus on the participation of young people at the local, national and global levels in institutions, as well as to draw lessons on how the representation and participation of young people in politics can be improved. The celebration will focus on the political, economic and social actions that each country must adopt to support it.
Making commitments a reality
Youth is a stage of life where the opportunities that society, State institutions and families have offered them are materialized in people. At this stage, you decide what kind of person you want to be and work to become that person.
Young people have the gift of open thinking and are extremely sensitive to new trends. In addition, they bring their energy, ideas and courage to face some of the most complex and important challenges that affect communities. They often understand better than older generations that we can transcend religious and cultural differences to achieve shared goals. They fight for the rights of the oppressed, including those who suffer discrimination based on gender, race and sexual orientation. And they are often the leading advocates for sustainability and green lifestyles.
In order to provide the best conditions for the youth, it is necessary to previously attend adequately to the girls, boys, since they are the future young people. Before reaching this stage, their future, values, education, preparation for life and to be people of benefit to society are based, enabling them to act as agents of social change, economic development and progress, from the youth stage and during adulthood.
The commitment of the business society to young people
The business society has the responsibility to promote his commitment to young people, through:
- Training in management skills of people at the helm
- Offer access to key benefits and opportunities to work longer hours.
- Adopt practices regarding new ways of working (teleworking, time and effort management). Job flexibility encourages commitment.
- Work towards inclusion, not just diversity. The commitment has no gender or race.
- Offer professional development opportunities.
We must continue to collaborate to broaden the field of opportunity for young people and meet legitimate demands for dignity, development and decent work. Not investing in our youth is deceptive savings. Investing in youth will pay big dividends in the form of a better future for all.
