International Youth Day (IYD) was celebrated on 12 August 2004 and focused on the issue of Youth in an Intergenerational Society, in order to stress the importance of solidarity between generations at all levels - in families, communities and nations.

The United Nations' Programme on Youth celebrated International Youth Day 2004 in Barcelona at the World Youth Festival together with 8.000 young participants, many NGOs and several UN agencies and bodies including the YEN.

The YEN used the opportunity of IYD 2004 to launch two publications:

- Global Employment Trends for Youth 2004 ILO Press Release: (Eng) (Fr) (Sp)

- Improving prospects for young women and men in the world of work: A Guide to Youth Employment.

The YEN also ran a panel event on youth employment during the World Youth Festival where one panel discussed the issue of equal opportunities in a society of all ages.

In YEN lead country Indonesia an event on IYD saw the Indonesian Vice President, H.E. Hamzah Hazin, launch the nations National Youth Employment Action Plan (I-YEAP). This plan will move into the implementation stage in 2005.

International Youth Day 2003

The theme of IYD 2003 was youth employment. A major focus of the Day was on practical action to encourage the empowerment and participation of youth in the processes and decisions that affect their lives and give a clear message that unemployment is the problem, and youth are the solution.

In previous years the Day has focused on Sustainable Development (2002), and on HIV/AIDS (2001).

As well as the UN Secretary-General delivering his traditional message, the YEN Core Partners and a number UN county offices used the Day to raise awareness about the challenge of youth employment and in particular highlight the work of the YEN:

The UN distributed the UN Secretary-Generals statement to the press and to its field offices around the world as well as hosting a web site on the Day that suggested ways in which people could celebrate and offered a list of resources and useful links. The World Bank used the occasion to highlight its role in the YEN as well its own activities on the issue of youth employment through a major article released by its media centre.

The ILO, as the Secretariat for the YEN, produced an electronic information pack in advance of the Day. This pack contains introductory information on the YEN, basic press materials and some of core documents relating to political activities of the YEN.

This pack enabled UN, World Bank and ILO regional and field offices to respond to or support any interest from the press or the public on the Day. This information is also providing offices with background to ongoing work of YEN allowing them to respond appropriately to requests for support from countries in the development of National Action Plans on Youth Employment.

Activities at the country level

Indonesia
Indonesia chose International Youth Day 2003 to launch the Indonesia Youth Employment Network. (I-YEN)
I-YEN was officially launched in during ceremony in Jakarta by the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs before an audience which included members of the I-YEN, representatives of UNDP, World Bank and ILO, members of the Indonesian Youth Parliament, representatives from business, unions, community and youth organizations, and students from local high schools. 

• Press Release 
• Launch Note 
• Speech of ILO Country Director Alan Bolton 
• I-YEN concept note

Vietnam
International Youth Day activities in Vietnam included:

• An article on Youth Employment by the ILO office in Hanoi published in the Vietnam Investment Review to coincide with IDY. 

• A media campaign on youth employment being implemented by Vietnam TV (VTV) with support from ILO Hanoi. Four programmes were shown during August, including a one-hour live TV debate on youth employment, the first of its kind in Vietnam. 

• A live dialogue on Youth Employment broadcast on VTV at prime time (17h00 - 18h00). The Director for the ILO Hanoi office was on a panel alongside the head of Viet Nam's Youth Committee and the Director of Minister of Labours Vocational Training Department. 

• A joint UN agency press release drafted by the UN Country Team working group on youth.

Tanzania
The Tanzania Youth Vision Association (TYVA) and Youth of United Nations Association (YUNA) organized an event on the Day, with ILO support. Activities running throughout the day included a youth rally and public dialogue on the challenges and opportunities that globalization presents for youth employment.

The ILO Director of the Dar-es-Salaam office delivered the UN SG's message in his capacity as acting UN Resident Coordinator. The Director also delivered one of the key note speeches at the event, in addition to representatives of youth groups and the social partners.

From the Tanzanian Government the Minister for Labour, Youth Development and Sports Hon. Prof. Kapuya was the Guest of Honour, and the Director of the Youth Department also attended.

Representatives from UNICEF, UNIDO, FAO, UNIC and the World Bank all attended. About 200 youth attended the event and media coverage was arranged.

Media Monitoring
International Youth Day 2003 and the focus this year on youth employment was picked up by the media in 16 countries. For a comprehensive review of articles from around the world please click here.