International Youth Day is held every year on August 12, and the next one is on Thursday, August 12, 2027. Designated by the United Nations, it puts young people and the issues they face, from education and jobs to mental health and climate, at the center of public attention.
How the day came about
The idea was put forward at the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth, held in Lisbon, Portugal, in August 1998. The ministers recommended that August 12 be declared International Youth Day. The UN General Assembly endorsed the recommendation in December 1999 in resolution 54/120, and the first International Youth Day was observed in 2000.
The day builds on the UN’s World Programme of Action for Youth, a framework for national youth policies adopted in the 1990s. For statistical purposes, the UN defines youth as people between the ages of 15 and 24, though many countries and organizations use their own definitions.
Themes and focus
Every year the UN chooses a theme, and past editions have looked at topics such as youth engagement in politics, intergenerational solidarity, green skills, digital skills and transforming food systems. The common thread is that young people are not just beneficiaries of policy but partners in shaping it. Check the UN’s official page in the weeks before August 12 to see the current focus.
The date and what to expect
August 12 is fixed, so the weekday changes from year to year. It is not a public holiday in the US, UK or most other countries. Because it falls during summer break in the Northern Hemisphere, events are often run by youth organizations, universities, libraries, local governments and NGOs rather than by schools.
Ideas for marking International Youth Day
For young people
- Join or start a youth council, student union or volunteer group in your area.
- Register to vote if you are eligible, or help friends find out how.
- Pitch a community project, such as a cleanup, a skills swap or a mental health peer group.
- Share your perspective on the year’s theme through a blog, video or podcast.
For organizations and employers
- Offer job-shadowing days, mentoring sessions or paid internship information sessions.
- Invite young people to a panel where they set the questions.
- Review how youth voices are included in your decisions, not just your marketing.
For parents and educators
Ask the teenagers in your life what they would change in their community if they could, and then help them take one concrete step. Libraries and community centers can host workshops on practical skills such as budgeting, CV writing or first-time job interviews.
Counting down
With 288 days left, there is time to organize a workshop or campaign. Share the countdown link with your team or embed it on your organization’s website. Related days include the International Day of Friendship on July 30 and World Children’s Day on November 20.