Port Vila Municipal Youth Council (PVMYC) is hosting the 7th International Youth Day (IYD) event celebrations starting today Wednesday 8th to Wednesday 15th August 2018.
The event is in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth & Sport Development, the SHEFA Provincial Government, the SHEFA Provincial Youth Council, Port Vila Municipal Youth Council and the Vanuatu National Youth Council.
The IYD is an international day designated by the United Nations and is observed annually on the 12th of August.
It is designed to be an opportunity for Government and youth stakeholders to draw attention on youth issues worldwide.
According to UN, this year IYD theme is “Safe Space for Youth”, meaning Youth need safe spaces where they can come together, engage in activities related to their diverse needs and interests, participate in decision making processes and freely express themselves. While there are many types of spaces, safe spaces ensure the dignity and safety of youth.
Safe spaces such as civic spaces enable youth to engage in governance issues; public spaces afford youth the opportunity to participate in sports and other leisure activities in the community; digital spaces help youth interact virtually across borders with everyone; and well-planned physical spaces can help accommodate the needs of diverse youth especially those vulnerable to marginalization or violence.
The Vanuatu National Youth Council believes that while this day remains a special day for youth, all Government stakeholders, Non-Government Organizations, Civil Society Groups, Partners, Provincial Government and communities to unite in advocating for young people and to ensuring that safe spaces are inclusive, youth from diverse backgrounds especially those from outside the local community, need to be assured of respect and self-worth.
Without the existence of safe space, youth from different race/ethnicity, gender, religious affiliation or cultural background may feel intimidated to freely contribute to the community.
Celebration this week included sports activities, awareness from different institutions and Reggae fire music during the evenings.
The 2018 IYD official commemoration will take place on 12th August 2018 in Port Vila.
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