What is World Youth Skills Day?

This generation of young people is the largest in history. Because of this, it is now more important than ever before to make sure youth are fully engaged in social and legal issues. Many young people today must also navigate a number of competing challenges, including rising costs of living, climate change, technological advancements (AI anyone?), inequality and conflict.

When is World Youth Skills Day?

World Youth Skills Day is held annually on 15 July. This year marks the 10 year anniversary of this internationally recognised day for young people.

Why is World Youth Skills Day so important?

World Youth Skills Day is an opportunity to highlight the importance of young people and the skills they bring and can contribute to the world. This includes youth facing disadvantage, including girls and young women, young people with disabilities, young people from poorer households, young indigenous people, young people living in rural communities, and those facing violent conflict and political instability.

World Youth Skills Day aims to break down the barriers that can prevent some young people from accessing work, and to boost productivity and wage levels among youth around the world.

What is this year’s theme?

The theme for World Youth Skills Day 2024, “Youth Skills for Peace and Development“, underscores the crucial role young people play in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. It highlights the potential of young people as agents of peace and our global commitment to providing them with the skills and opportunities to address challenges and contribute to a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable future.

Why we are celebrating World Youth Skills Day!

We are celebrating World Youth Skills Day so young people can have their voices heard and the contributions they are making to the world around them are acknowledged.

How investing in young people can change the world … one community at a time

SreyYorng, 23, (pictured below) is the first person in her village in Svay Rieng Province, Cambodia, to graduate from university and become a midwife.

She said the support of her family and the skills she developed in a youth project run by ChildFund Cambodia and local partners helped her to achieve her goal. “My family’s assistance in helping me complete my studies, along with my experiences with youth groups, are what I believe have contributed to my success,” SreyYorng said.

“I am proud to be the first woman to graduate in midwifery in my village.”

As a participant in ChildFund’s youth project several years ago, SreyYorng learnt life and leadership skills. “The training was essential to me as it provided a foundation for my life,” she said. “It taught us how to manage ourselves, lead, be confident, and accomplish life goals,” she said.

SreyYorng said most of the youth who took part in the project had gone on to have successful careers as medical professionals, private sector employees, and business owners.

“We learnt lessons that helped us find a good path in life,” she said.

“The project has changed my life and the lives of many other young people. It taught us topics that were not able to learn in school or university.”

What is the history of World Youth Skills Day?

On the 15 July 2014, the United Nations General Assembly held its first World Youth Skills Day. This was to be a day celebrating the importance of giving young people the skills they will need for good employment, work, and entrepreneurship.

Ever since this day, World Youth Skills Day has continued to provide a one-of-a-kind, crucial opportunity for young people to communicate with technical and vocational education and training institutions, firms, employee and worker organisations, development partners, and policy makers.

This year, World Youth Skills Day 2024 ,will take place amid the continued efforts for socio-economic recovery from the global challenges we face. While the world continues to grapple with these challenges, as well as the aftermath of the pandemic and ongoing crises and unrest the resilience and determination of young people have paved the way for progress.

Why are the global goals for World Youth Skills day so important?

Did you know that the United Nations has 17 targets they aim to address by 2030? Known as the United Nations 2030 Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals, or the Global Goals, this global initiative aims to end poverty and help produce sustainable economic, social, and environmental development.

One of the Sustainable Development Goals is Goal 4: “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”. Increasing access to affordable and high-quality Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) plays an important role during World Youth Skills Day. After all, TVET can promote economic, social, and environmental development by helping young people and adults attain the skills and training they need for good employment, work and entrepreneurship. It can ensure recognition for a youth’s skills, and even provide skill development opportunities for those who are under-employed, unemployed, or for youth not in education, employment or training.

In the face of challenges such as climate change, humanitarian emergencies, and conflicts, it is more critical than ever to empower all young people, irrespective of where they live, to speak up and continue learning so they can reach their full potential.

How can I support World Youth Skills Day 2024?

All young people should have access to the opportunities and training they need to excel in their work, especially our modern, constantly changing one. You can help by sending a donation to the areas it is most needed.

You can also donate monthly to ChildFund this World Youth Skills Day 2024. This way, your support will last long beyond World Youth Skills Day, helping more than 1,000 children in one year to obtain the support that they need to be as safe, healthy, and educated as possible.