Today’s youth are bursting with energy, creativity, and a strong desire to make the world a better place. They’re known for their ability to adapt to a fast-changing world and tackle challenges with innovative solutions. With a focus on sustainability, justice, equality, and technological advancement, they offer fresh perspectives that are essential for the future growth of our society.
Walking with your head in the clouds, without solid ground beneath your feet. That’s one way to describe the carefree aspects of youth. Thanks to the UN, we celebrate International Youth Day every August. This year, on August 12th, we’ll mark 25 years of acknowledging the importance of our youngest generation.
Historical Background
It’s not just a day for any celebration. International Youth Day was established through a UN initiative, aimed at raising awareness about the issues and challenges relevant to young people. Just like every generation faces its own unique challenges, Generation Z is no exception.
These are the people born between 1997 and 2012, who grapple with issues related to telecommunications, cyberbullying, technological addiction, and the many challenges of the digital age.
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Main Priority and Theme
Every year, International Youth Day has its own theme, reflecting current issues and priorities. These themes are usually chosen based on global challenges of the time and are designed to address specific issues faced by youth. In past years, the themes have included:
- “Focusing on Mental Health: Youth, Work, and Well-being”
- “Creative Economy: Innovation and Youth Employment”
- “Human Rights: Ensuring Fair Access to Education and Employment”
- “Transforming Education: Youth for the Future”
Theme for 2024
The theme for 2024 focuses on “Sustainable Future: How We Can Empower Young People to Become Leaders of Change.” This theme highlights the importance of involving young people in decision-making processes. With the overwhelming number of options available to today’s youth, there’s a growing challenge where young people often struggle to make decisions. Who would have thought that as our options increase, society might actually feel more constrained?
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Traits of Today’s Youth – What Gen Z Excels At!
Multilingual Skills: Slovakia boasts a remarkably language-proficient young generation. Up to 85% of Slovak youth are fluent in more than one language, with 75% speaking English fluently. For comparison, only 45% of young people in Spain can speak English.
Tech Savvy: Being glued to their phones isn’t just a bad habit. Young people today are masters of technology, utilizing all that it offers.
Well-Educated: They pursue higher education, engage in various courses, and are keen on self-study. They’re always eager to learn something new every day.
Mastery of Artificial Intelligence: It’s often said that those who can harness AI hold the keys to the future. Our jobs won’t be replaced by AI but by people who know how to use it.
Fearless Individuality: Today’s youth embrace democracy and aren’t afraid to use it to their advantage. They have no fear of standing out, voicing their opinions, and being unique.
Cultural Exploration and Travel: They use social media to connect with international friends and learn about different cultures. Staying in touch with the world, they’re not scared to travel and see things for themselves, embracing new experiences firsthand.
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And even though it sometimes seems like their world revolves around selfies and funny videos on social media, it’s important not to underestimate them. Young people are looking for ways to get things done, not excuses to avoid them. Let them explore, experiment, and most importantly, let them be young. Give them a voice and the importance they deserve. They’ve earned it.
