The UN's annual "International Youth Day" is meant to amplify the message that action is needed across all generations to achieve the UN's "Sustainable Development Goals" and leave no one behind. It is also to raise awareness on certain barriers between youth and older generations and to intergenerational solidarity, notably ageism.
This year’s focus of International Youth Day is aimed at countering discrimination against youth. However, young and older people all face this issue and often suffer lasting financial and psychological harm, which impacts society at large as well, the UN says.
The Global Report on Ageism launched by the United Nations in March 2021 highlights that despite lack of research, young people continue to report age-related barriers in various spheres of their lives such as employment, political participation, health and justice.
Young people also face ageism in matters relating to health, justice and politics. However, they may themselves engage in ageist behavior against older people.
The UN recommends the necessity of intergenerational cooperation as a vital tool to eliminate ageism. Legal and judicial changes should follow, to help develop a more tolerant and inclusive atmosphere.
This year, the UN says that the progress of human civilization depends on cooperation among all generations of people and recommends that the youth should receive all necessary support to help protect the environment, oppose terrorism and establish global peace.
International Youth Day was denoted by the United Nations and first observed on August 12, 2000.