Today we celebrate the diverse backgrounds, experiences, stories, and interests of young people aged 10 to 25 this International Youth Day 2024.
International Youth Day, celebrated annually on 12 August, was established by the United Nations (UN) to draw attention to issues young people face as well as celebrate their potential in today’s global society.
This year’s theme is ‘From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development’ which acknowledges and celebrates the power of young people and their contribution to digital innovation.
The theme highlights the key connection between digitalisation and accelerating the progress of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasising the crucial contributions of young people in this transformative process.
Today’s young people are the first generation to have grown up with technology—being labelled ‘digital natives.’
As young people understand and use the power of technology in addressing global challenges, their leadership plays a vital role in the progress towards SDGs.
Championing this sentiment, the State Government is committed to supporting the young people of WA with the development of the new Youth Action Plan to reflect their voices and shared ideas.
During consultations to inform the Youth Action Plan, more than 50 workshops were delivered across WA involving over 2,000 young people.
In these workshops, young people shared the issues that were most important to them, and what would help them achieve their goals such as having more opportunities to learn about life and leadership skills.
To enable young people to feel confident when entering jobs centred around technology, the State Government is currently delivering a range of initiatives including the Digital Inclusion Blueprint and State STEM Skills Strategy.
Additionally, the State Government is considering new initiatives to support and recognise young people’s contributions to digital innovation as part of the development of the new Youth Action Plan.
Youth Week WA 2025
To celebrate International Youth Day, Minister for Youth Hon. Hannah Beazley MLA has announced Youth Week WA 2025 will be launched in Karratha.
Youth Week WA is Western Australia’s largest annual celebration of young people (10 to 25 years), providing them with the opportunity to express their ideas, raise important issues, make decisions, create entertainment, and celebrate their contribution to the community.
Through the Youth Portfolio, the Department of Communities hold annual grants to fund activities throughout Youth Week.
Successful applicants are awarded funds to deliver activities across Youth Week WA that:
- acknowledges and celebrates the positive contribution that young people make to their local communities,
- provides opportunities for young people, aged 10-25, to raise issues of importance or concern to them and explore possible solutions, and
- provides opportunities for young people to showcase or develop their skills and talents.
Youth Week WA 2025 will run from 10 to 17 April 2025.
For further information visit the Youth Week WA web page.
To find out more on what initiatives the State Government is doing to support young people, visit the Young People web page.
Young people and stakeholders are encouraged to subscribe to the Young People Connect WA database to receive the latest news and updates from the Communities Youth portfolio on initiatives such as the opening of new grant funding, Youth Week Ambassador expressions of interest, Ministerial Youth Advisory Council (MYAC) and more.
To find out more about International Youth Day 2024, get involved and access resources, visit the UN International Youth Day web page
Hear from newly appointed Ministerial Youth Advisory Council member, Om Sharma, on what International Youth Day means to him:
Happy International Youth Day!
