2012 International Youth Day: Building a Better World: Partnering with Youth

On 17 December 1999, in its resolution 54/120, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998) that 12 August be declared International Youth Day.

The theme of International Youth Day 2012 is "Building a Better World: Partnering with Youth" — a global call to action to develop and engage in partnerships with and for youth. It is true that the idea focuses on the United Nations, governments, the private sector, civil society, academia,philanthropists and stakeholders to see it as a duty to provide platforms and opportunities where partnerships with youths can thrive for adequate development.

But,behind this auspicious partnership with youths is a stronger idea and  embedded truth that places responsibility on youths all over the  world to become fore runners of this great initiative. Taking a quick look at the basics of partnership will help clarify the discourse of this article.

• A partnership is an association of two or more persons, known as general partners, who act as co-owners of a business and operate it for profit(profit here is relative)

• Partnership is workable if only there is an agreement reached by the partners

• Partnership imposes certain responsibilities and contributions from both partners

• When a partner defaults on agreed terms,the partnership could be dissolved.

The global challenges facing young people today such as unemployment,vulnerable working conditions and marginalization from decision making processes can only be mitigated against with the "Partnership" with youths.Youths will have to avail themselves of taking deliberate steps in line with the partnership process to maximize the inherent virtues and values.

Young people will have to synergise on common platforms that has the infusion of  :transfer of knowledge,deployment of expertise and sustainable platforms to realize the overall objectives of the intended partnership.It is on this platforms that hubs of capacity-building will offer young people the opportunity to become a worthy partner  and an effective role player.





By becoming active contributing partners,young people will translate themselves from just becoming on-lookers to key decision makers who will shape the political and economic frameworks that delivers tangible development across the globe a reality.

"To unleash the power of young people, we need to partner with them."
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon