In 1999, the UN General Assembly designated August 12 as “International Youth Day.” The annual celebration stresses the key role youth play in making a better change in the world. The day also raises awareness of the challenges and problems faced by youth worldwide.
This year's theme is “Safe Spaces for Youth.”

Explaining the point behind this year’s theme, UNDESA wrote on their official website: “Youth need safe spaces where they can come together, engage in activities related to their diverse needs and interests, participate in decision making processes and freely express themselves. While there are many types of spaces, safe spaces ensure the dignity and safety of youth.

“Safe spaces such as civic spaces enable youth to engage in governance issues; public spaces afford youth the opportunity to participate in sports and other leisure activities in the community; digital spaces help youth interact virtually across borders with everyone; and well planned physical spaces can help accommodate the needs of diverse youth especially those vulnerable to marginalization or violence.”

His Majesty King Abdullah II has addressed Jordanian youth, who represent the large majority of Jordanian society, on many occasions, referring to them as “the bearers of Amman’s message, the ones who seek to achieve Jordan’s progress and prosperity.”

His Majesty said that it is Jordanian youth’s duty to keep their traditions alive, while keeping up with the modern world in order to bring a positive change to their country.

Meanwhile, the World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY), a UN framework for youth development, reiterated the need for the provision of “leisure activities” as an essential way for achieving psychological, cognitive and physical development of youth.

Enter Youth Day 2018’s competition, created by UNDESA, by watching the video below.