The General Assembly on 17 December 1999 (resolution 54/120 I) endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998) that 12 August be declared International Youth Day. It recommended that public information activities be organized to support the Day as a way to promote better awareness of the World Programme of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond, adopted by the Assembly in 1995 (resolution 50/81).
The theme of International Youth Day 2012 is "Building a Better World: Partnering with Youth" - a global call to action to develop and engage in partnerships with and for youth.
Young people today face pressing global challenges such as high levels of unemployment, vulnerable working conditions and marginalization from decision making processes. Partnerships - with the United Nations, governments, the private sector, civil society, academia and philanthropists - can help increase opportunities for success by leveraging comparative advantages, resources and shared interests.
