RIYADH: The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development is marking International Youth Day by emphasizing the Kingdom’s commitment to empowering the nation’s young people.
International Youth Day is held annually on Aug. 12 to mark the contribution of youth to the development of society and raise awareness of issues affecting them.
This year’s global theme is “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” which recognizes how technology is reshaping the world.
In a statement on Aug. 12, the ministry stated that under its theme of “Our Youth is our Wealth,” the government has developed 20 initiatives to empower young people.
These fall under the country’s Youth Development Strategy, which includes a general administration for their development and employment.
The ministry recently held over 15 workshops to raise awareness about the strategy and launched a professional certificate program for young workers.
Young people aged 15 to 39 constitute the largest percentage of the Kingdom’s population, making them a fundamental base for economic and societal transformation, the ministry stated.
The idea for International Youth Day was first proposed by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth, held in Lisbon, Portugal, in 1998.
The UN General Assembly endorsed this recommendation and on Dec. 17, 1999 declared Aug. 12 as International Youth Day, with the first one held in 2000.
