International Youth Day 2026

International Youth Day on 12 August is a UN observance recognising young people's rights, ideas and leadership. It promotes meaningful participation in education, work, peacebuilding and decisions that affect their future.

International Youth Day is observed on 12 August. Its immediate origin lies in the 1998 World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth in Lisbon, which recommended an international day devoted to young people. The United Nations General Assembly endorsed the recommendation in 1999 through resolution 54/120, linking the observance with the World Programme of Action for Youth. Since then the day has provided a platform to discuss education, employment, health, technology, climate action, civic participation, peace and the barriers that prevent young people from shaping decisions that affect them. Rather than portraying youth only as a group with needs, the observance increasingly recognizes young people as organizers, innovators, workers, entrepreneurs and community leaders. Governments, schools, youth organizations and international institutions mark the day through discussions, campaigns and youth-led activities, with a different theme highlighting current priorities each year.

Recognises young people as decision-makers and partners in development, not merely recipients of programmes designed by others.

Youth-led discussions, volunteering, creative projects, policy dialogues and campaigns on education, jobs, climate and peace.

UN worldwide observance on 12 August, endorsed in 1999 after the 1998 Lisbon youth ministers' conference; annual themes vary.