International Youth Day 2022 Statement by the YWCA of Palestine
On the 12th of August every year, youth around the world
have been commemorating their International Day, which was endorsed by the
United Nations General Assembly. The resolution, adopted in 1998, has brought
youth issues to the attention of the international community. It also champions
the potential of youth as partners in today’s global society.
This day provides the opportunity for the youth to celebrate their
voices, actions, and initiatives, and to publicize their meaningful
participation.
Different events are taking place worldwide on this day for raising
awareness on the importance of youth participation in political, economic, and
social processes.
The objective of International Youth
Day 2022 is “Intergenerational Solidarity” towards “Creating a World for
All Ages.” This amplifies the message that action is needed across all
generations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and leave no
one behind, and to promote social connectedness and strengthen intergenerational
solidarity.
To achieve the (SDGs), the world
needs to leverage the full potential of all generations. Solidarity across
generations is key for sustainable development.
In Palestine, young men and women
face many challenges, the biggest of which is the continuation of the long-term
colonial Occupation. This requires serious international efforts to resolve it
radically and to comply with the International Humanitarian Law that calls to
end the Occupation and allow people to live in peace, justice, and dignity
everywhere.
We know what the future will look
like if there is no immediate action to end the Occupation. For Palestinian
youth, it is the future of fear and loss of hope amid intimidation, arbitrary arrests,
injuries, and death.
Despite all these challenges, the young Palestinian people are full of potential;
they are able to withstand the obstacles and achieve success.
On the occasion of the
“International Youth Day”,
the YWCA calls the international and human rights organizations and global community to
provide protection for the Palestinian people, including youth and children, and to end Occupation as a
first step.
On the national level, we demand the State of Palestine to take the
necessary measures to: preserve freedom of opinion and expression, adhere to
the rules of the Palestinian Basic Law, build state institutions that are based
on human rights principles, and respect the international covenants to which
the state of Palestine has consented to. In addition, we demand increasing the active
participation of youth in official political positions to ensure more balanced
political representations. We affirm the importance of implementing
international resolutions, particularly UNSCR 2250, which relates to the Youth,
Peace and Security Agenda.
We will continue to move forward towards achieving the goals and
ambitions of Palestinian youth. We also affirm our commitment to support and
empower young men and women, and raise their awareness on political, economic,
and social rights through our various programs and in cooperation with all
organizations, commissions, and coalitions that advocate for the protection of
youth rights at the international, regional, and national levels.
Happy International Youth day