International Youth Day is celebrated annually on 12 August, drawing light on youth issues and celebrating the potential of youth as partners in the present day global society.
The idea for International Youth Day has its roots in 1991 when many young people gathered in Vienna, Austria for the first session of the World Youth Forum of the United Nations System. The Forum recommended declaring an International Youth Day, especially for fund-raising and promotion, to support the United Nations Youth Fund in partnership with youth organizations. In the year 1998, the first session of the World Conference of Ministers responsible for Youth passed a resolution designating 12 August as International Youth Day.
Many subsequent initiatives have recognized the pressing need to engage young peacebuilders to promote peace and counter extremism, and have emphasized the role of youth as important partners in global efforts.