August 12 don become official Youth Day for Ukraine. Dis date na also International Youth Day wey di United Nations dey observe every year. Di holiday na to honor young people and dia role for society, education, volunteer work, and national development.
Before now, Ukraine dey celebrate Youth Day on di last Sunday of June. Dis one start since 1994, but for 2021 dem decide to change am. Di new date take effect from January 1, 2022. According to presidential decree, dem change am because young people want European integration and support democratic values.
International Youth Day get im own history. For August 1998, di first World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth happen for Lisbon. Dem propose say make August 12 be International Youth Day. On December 17, 1999, di UN General Assembly approve am with Resolution No. 54/120.
Di day no just dey for celebration. E dey draw attention to issues wey affect young people: quality education, employment opportunities, participation for decision-making, human rights, health, and safety. Every year, UN dey choose one theme. For 2026, di theme na Different Contexts, Common Aspirations. Di focus na say young people dey live for different conditions but still get common goals.
For Ukraine, di celebration dey include youth forums, charity work, sports events, lectures, concerts, and festivals. International Youth Day na platform to discuss pressing issues.
One interesting fact be say Ukraine define youth as people from 14 to 35 years old. But di UN dey use 15 to 24 for statistics. Worldwide, around 1.2 billion people fall between 15 and 24, wey be about 16% of di global population. By 2030, dem expect say e go reach 1.3 billion.
