INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY
In 1998, a resolution proclaiming 12 August as International Youth Day was adopted by the first session of the the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth , which was hosted by the Government of Portugal in cooperation with the United Nations (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998). That recommendation was subsequently endorsed by the fifty-fourth session of the General Assembly, in its resolution A/RES/54/120 entitled "Policies and programmes involving youth" (17 December 1999).
International Youth Day is a day to celebrate the amazing contributions of young people around the world! For over two decades, International Youth Day has been used as an opportunity for governments and organizations to create awareness about issues affecting youth, such as education, health care, employment opportunities and equal rights. It's also a great chance for each one of us to recognize our own inner strength and potential that can be achieved with hard work and dedication.
Hanane Thamik（何晓娜） and Juan David Figueroa Cabrera（贾大卫）, two of our international students, have been representing our university at the United Nations.
Dr. Hanane Thamik was selected by the United Nations as one of the 100 Most Influential People of African Descent in 2023. The Global 100 Celebrity List lists people of African descent who have achieved excellence in four areas: politics and governance, business and entrepreneurship, media and culture, and humanitarian, and includes famous celebrities, politicians, athletes, and other influential people in the world. The award ceremony will take place after the opening of the 78th United Nations Annual General Assembly in New York City.
On the afternoon of June 30, 2023, the 18th session of the 53rd session of the UN Human Rights Council held an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights. Dr. Hanane Thamik (He Xiaona), an international patriotic volunteer from Morocco, spoke on behalf of the Shaanxi Patriotic Volunteer Association.
Dr Hanane described what she saw China achieve in the fight against poverty. She used real data to show the world China's successful poverty alleviation experience. She said: China's development today has brought great well-being, dignity and hope to the Chinese people. This is the strongest desire of the Chinese people and the foundation of the collective human rights of the Chinese people.
Dr Hanane hopes that China's successful experience will benefit other countries. She firmly believes that young people have the power to alleviate poverty and promote human rights. She called on young people to achieve success in eradicating poverty and promoting human rights.
She said: I hope all countries can benefit from China's experience because it is important and young people can be the driving force for poverty eradication and human rights. Because I believe that, as young people, we have the power to alleviate poverty and promote human rights. We youth aspire to achieve and are inspired to work for the eradication of poverty and human rights.
In order to let more people in the world learn about China’s efforts in fulfilling the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and tell the stories about Chinese people striving for a better life, Global Young Leaders Dialogue invited Hanane to write about what she saw, heard or thought during the tour she had in Guangdong province.
On August 10, 2021, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President Xi Jinping wrote back to foreign youth representatives of the "Global Young Leaders Dialogue" project, expressing his appreciation for their active visits to various parts of China and deepening their understanding of China, and encouraging them to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning, Contribute youth power to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Juan David Figueroa Cabrera (贾大卫) was chosen by UNESCO APCEIU (Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding) as one of the 48 youth leaders for the 9th youth leadership workshop on GCED (Global Citizenship Education). During the workshop, he met young global change-makers from around the world for fostering transformative education and promoting inclusion for the underprivileged in their own communities.They spoke vehemently about the value of GCED in empowering young people and bringing about constructive social change. In 2023, APCEIU holds its 9th Youth Leadership Workshop on GCED under the theme of “Global citizenship and youth empowerment for inclusive futures for all”. The Workshop invited the most active global citizens who aspired to work together to build a more inclusive society for all by combating the inequality through innovation, commitment, solidarity, and common vision and hope for a better future.
International Youth Day is a reminder that young people are not just the future but also active participants in shaping the present. The 2023 theme, "Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World," emphasizes the potential of young individuals to drive positive change and contribute to the global effort of building a more sustainable and equitable world. As we celebrate this day, let us remember that investing in the well-being, education, and empowerment of youth is an investment in a brighter and more prosperous future for all.
