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International Youth Day 2024

August 2024

Join us in celebrating the power of youth and digital innovation on International Youth Day 2024!

In 1999, in its resolution 54/120, the 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. 

YMCAs across Ireland work to provide life enriching opportunities for young people, their families and communities. We champion an inclusive, youth-led approach to our work and empower young people to become active global citizens and contribute towards building a world of justice, equity and dignity.

Digital Creativity and Global Youth Work 

YMCA Ireland has been embedding Global Citizenship Education into our youth work practice for over 25 years with a strong emphasis on Digital Creativity since 2005.

Last February, YMCA Youth Reporters sat down in The Podcast Studios in Dublin to discuss their engagement with the Sustainable Development Goals and how they are advocating for a better world.

You can watch the #YMCAyouthadvocacy SDG Podcast here:

Through our Youth Advocacy and Global Youth Work, young people are actively engaged in tackling global issues and exploring their own values, beliefs, and connections with the wider world. Over the past 15 months our ‘Future Generations’ Climate Justice Group have been focusing on SDG14” ‘Life Below Water’ – documenting their work with a feature film on Marine Education and advocating for 30% of Ireland’s ocean territory to be fully protected by 2030. Alongside this, Youth Advocates, have recorded a podcast series entitled ‘Confronting Climate’, which will be available soon.

Click here to learn more about YMCA Youth Advocacy and Global Youth Work.

YMCA SDG Champion Award

This Autumn we are excited to launch our ‘YMCA SDG Champion Award’ in association with YMCA Ireland’s ‘Peace & Justice’ strategy. This award will provide young people the opportunity to further partner with our Global Citizenship Education through local associations in a significant and impactful way.