UNESCO celebrates Int’l Youth Day in Tehran

Tehran has played host to the celebration of International Youth Day, held by UNESCO and UN-affiliated bodies in Iran.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) held a celebration for the day on August 12.

The organization announced this year’s motto “Youth Building Peace”, to provoke young people’s contributions to conflict prevention and sustainable peace.

The celebration was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO, and other UN agencies in Tehran’s Sa’adabad Cultural and Historical Complex.

Some 140 guests, including youth representatives, Government officials, NGOs and UN agencies attended the celebration and talked about important topics, such as health and sports, education and sciences, as well as environment.

Director of the UNESCO Tehran Cluster Office Kuisch Laroche said “Today half of the world is under 25 years old. Our global population has never been so young. But unfortunately, more than 600 million youth around the world live in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. Young people carry the heaviest burdens of conflict and violence, yet they are also essential for any lasting solution leading to peace.”

“UNESCO and all other UN agencies are working across the board to support young people – not just as beneficiaries, but as leaders- playing vital roles at local, national and global levels,” she added.

Diba Saedi-Daryani, 12, noted the significance of environmental protection and the role that children and youth can play.

She urged government officials to use the creative ideas of the youth to preserve the environment.

UN Resident Coordinator in Iran Gary Lewis noted the need to pay attention to environmental challenges that may pose major threats to the global peace and stability.

Releasing 100 white balloons in the air at the end of the event, the participants signified their hopes and aspirations for a peaceful future.

The municipality of Iranian northern city of Rasht, UNESCO Creative City for its gastronomy, prepared food and refreshments for the guests to have after the celebration.

First designated International Youth Day by the UN General Assembly in 1999, it serves as an annual celebration of the role of young people in development to raise awareness of the challenges and problems facing the world’s youth.

MG/MF