Happy International Youth Day! On 12 August each year, the global community celebrates youth all over the world and gives special attention to the unique cultural and legal challenges surrounding youth. The initiative comes from the United Nations and has been celebrated for 25 years already. [1] This year, the theme is dedicated to Local Youth Actions for the Sustainable Development Goals and Beyond. Let’s celebrate the unique role of Youth in translating global ambitions into community-driven realities!
Localising the Sustainable Development Goals is all about fine tuning global goals to specific local contexts, aligning with community needs, and implementing these goals all while staying consistent with national and international commitments. Youths are leaders, innovators and actors of change, and they bring insights, creativity and deep community ties to the scene, which are unmissable qualities to realise the Sustainable Development Goals. [1] Even the idea of International Youth Day comes from young people themselves. [2]
But what is needed to ensure youth are empowered to localise the Sustainable Development Goals? These three focus points are crucial [1]
- Foster inclusive and accessible participation;
- Invest in youth-led innovations;
- Promote intergenerational cooperation.
Read a few stories about young changemakers who are turning these ambitions into reality!
The global observance of International Youth Day this year took place in Nairobi, Kenya. At this event youth go into dialogue with other decision makers to discuss urban planning, climate resilience, social inclusion, innovation, and digital transformation. Additionally, youth organisations and enterprises have the opportunity to showcase their work, and a commemoration is held. [1]
Curious to know more about the background of International Youth Day? The recommendation for International Youth Day was made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth in 1998, Lisbon. One year later, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the recommendation, and highlighted the potential to raise awareness for the World Programme of Action for Youth. [3]
Wish to know more about youth activities?
The World Program of Action for Youth guides the United Nations youth agenda, and focuses on fifteen priority areas: education, employment, hunger and poverty, health, environment, substance abuse, juvenile justice, leisure-time activities, girls and young women and the full and effective participation of youth in the life of society and in decision-making, as well as globalization, information and communication technologies, HIV/AIDS, armed conflict, and intergenerational issues. [3]
All over the world events are being organised in light of this special day. Want to see what has been on the global agenda this International Youth Day? Check out the calendar composed by the Major Group for Children and Youth!
Have you heard of Youth for Climate? This movement raises awareness and exerts political pressure on the climate and biodiversity crisis.
The Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOP) Network Programme is an initiative endorsed by the United Nations Ocean Decade in 2021. It aims to strengthen diverse perspectives through a collective voice, by bringing together ECOPs from all over the world. The ECOP Network aims to transfer knowledge between generations and promote ocean sustainability. The Network consists of many dedicated members, regional and national nodes, and task teams. Stay up to date by following the ECOP LinkedIn page!
At the European level, the Youth4Ocean Forum, one of the three communities of the EU4Ocean Coalition, is a free platform for young ocean changemakers. Their common goal is to shape the future with a healthy ocean that sustains us all. The Youth4Ocean Forum provides young people with the opportunities to speak up for their generation, share ideas, present projects and connect with young people and experts all over Europe. It also offers young people a possibility to submit their project and obtain accreditation as Young Ocean Advocates. Click on the pieces of the puzzle on the map to discover who they are and what they do. Would you like to join them? Learn how to become a member!
Fostering collaboration between youth and ocean experts, the Youth4Ocean Forum is connecting youth to mentors through its Mentorship Programme! Do you have expertise you would like to share? They are looking for mentoring in the following fields, amongst others: communication on education and ocean conservation, fundraising, blue economy, new technologies, research, entrepreneurship, science communication, community building, governance, North-South cooperation, grant-writing, building partnerships, networking, advocacy and project management. Become a mentor by filling in the dedicated form!
Led by an inspiring team of young Europeans, the Young Citizens’ Council for the Ocean seeks to empower youth to become active participants in shaping ocean governance. The Atlas Team was thrilled to present the Atlas at one of their workshops last May. Read the story online!
The YOUMARES ‘15 conference is taking place from 22-24 October 2025 in Kiel, Germany. This conference for young marine researchers offers the opportunity to showcase research with fellow early-career scientists! The theme for this year is connection across disciplines, generations and sectors.
The European Atlas of the Seas’ team would like to thank all of the young people we have met in the past months at events and online meetings for the interesting, inspiring and energising discussions! We hope that the Atlas is useful to your work. Do not hesitate to use the feedback form for questions and suggestions!
The data in the map is provided by the Youth4Ocean Forum.
[1] https://social.desa.un.org/issues/youth/events/iyd2025
[2] https://www.un.org/en/observances/youth-day/background
[3] https://www.unesco.org/en/days/youth