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This year's World Tsunami Awareness Day (5 November) focuses on "youth and future generations," in line with the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Summit of the Future. Activities will mark the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami by sharing its lessons with children and youth. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction () urges at-risk countries to update evacuation routes, install warning systems, and raise awareness among young people. They also urge youth and educational institutions to play an to learn life-saving skills.
By 2050, cities will house 70% of the global population, and 60% of urban residents will be under 18 by 2030, underscoring the urgency for action particularly where poverty and inequality persist. World Cities Day focuses on this, showcasing youth innovation and strategies for implementation. Initiatives like the Pact for the Future aim to raise youth voices in sustainability discussions, while the past Summit of the Future provided a platform for their perspectives on global policy. Proposed actions include forming youth councils and keeping dialogue between young people and policymakers.
Increasing disasters, many driven by climate change, threaten children worldwide. In 2022, flooding in Chad, Gambia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh affected the of children in 30 years. Education can empower children to protect themselves and become agents of change, aligning to reduce global disaster risks. The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (13 October) focuses on the role of education in protecting and empowering children for a disaster-free future, which aligns with the Summit of the Future's priorities.
鈥淪hootings, that鈥檚 why I left. Rapes. All that. I could not stay [back home]鈥 鈥 Solona, 14
Armed groups in Port-au-Prince and the Artibonite region are terrorizing entire communities. As streets, schools and playgrounds have been turned into battlefields, many have had . Thousands are now stranded in makeshift displacement sites. Struggling to access electricity, food, water, and adequate sanitation. Entire families are sleeping outside on the ground, at the mercy of torrential rains and disease-carrying insects. Children unable to go to school.
Violence in Haiti has reached shocking levels. continues to call for an end to the violence.
Salma Akter Aduri鈥檚 family, potato farmers from Rangpur, Bangladesh, struggled to sell their cash crops at a profitable price. Facing dire circumstances, it looked like they would be forced to either give up their land or take high-interest loans from moneylenders, they joined the Birahim Farmer鈥檚 Cooperative, which received support through the Missing Middle Initiative. This initiative, implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations () and funded by the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program ( worked with farmers to improve access to finance, markets, technology, and information.
Salma Akter Aduri鈥檚 family, potato farmers from Rangpur, Bangladesh, struggled to sell their cash crops at a profitable price. Facing dire circumstances, it looked like they would be forced to either give up their land or take high-interest loans from moneylenders, they joined the Birahim Farmer鈥檚 Cooperative, which received support through the Missing Middle Initiative. This initiative, implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations () and funded by the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program ( worked with farmers to improve access to finance, markets, technology, and information.
If you ask people how they would define , you鈥檒l probably get a range of responses, possibly peppered with misinformation and confusion. : Comprehensive sexuality education is a process of teaching the , with a goal of helping children stay safe and prepare for the future. It leads to fewer pregnancies, less disease and less abuse. It teaches young people about human development, reproduction and healthy relationships, and about how to recognize abuse, resist peer pressure and understand consent. It saves lives.
Pictured are young people at the Kibirizi youth space in Rwanda鈥檚 Rubengera sector.
Young rural people are bringing agriculture into the digital age. Meet who鈥檝e cracked the code: how to irrigate crops while saving both time and water.
As world leaders prepare to gather for the Summit of the Future, meet who are leveraging digital solutions to create a secure future for all of us.
Digitalization is transforming our world, offering unprecedented opportunities to accelerate sustainable development. Young people are leading the charge in digital adoption and innovation using technology to drive change and create solutions. As the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) approaches, the role of young people in digital innovation is essential for addressing global issues. This International Youth Day (12 August), let鈥檚 celebrate the digital contributions of youth, and inspire further innovation and collaboration to achieve sustainable development.
The world faces a multitude of challenges today, many of which affect the youth. It is crucial to equip young people with the necessary skills for fostering a culture of peace, nurturing responsible global citizens, and promoting sustainable development to build a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future for all. On World Youth Skills Day (15 July), let us unite in recognizing the potential of young people as agents of peace and commit to providing them with the skills and opportunities to address challenges and contribute to a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable future.
, the largest annual gathering of young people under the 缅北禁地banner convened at the United Nations from April 16th to 18th. echoed the theme of the 2024 High-level Political Forum: "Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient, and innovative solutions." The three-day event featured plenary sessions, interactive thematic and regionally based discussions, and discussions on innovative solutions for young people in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
has teamed up with spoken word artist @clickfortaz, in support of the 1 in 7 adolescents living with a mental health condition and to promote good mental health and well-being for all children and young people.
The stories of these young human rights champions serve as a source of inspiration, motivating others to take action and educate their communities on the importance of human rights.