International Youth Day:

‘Failing to invest in youth is a false economy’

F0ailing to invest in youth is a false economy and investments in young people will pay great dividends in a better future for all, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said in a message to mark International Youth Day which fell yesterday.

The United Nations General Assembly on December 17, 1999, in its resolution 54/120, endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (Lisbon, August 8-12 , 1998) that August 12 be declared International Youth Day.

International Youth Day was first observed in 2000 and continued to be celebrated on August 12 each year to recognize efforts of the world’s youth in a enhancing global society. It also aims to promote ways to engage them in becoming more actively involved in making positive contributions to their communities.

The UN defines the worlds’ youth as the age group between 15 and 24, making up one-sixth of the human population.