Aagya Khabar
Bardibas

Today (12 August), International Youth Day is being celebrated worldwide with various programs. Established by the United Nations in 1999 the day is observed annually on August 12 to highlight the importance of youth rights, opportunities, and roles.

This year’s theme is “Youth Participation: The Foundation for a Sustainable Future.” The message calls for actively engaging young people in social, economic, and political decision-making processes.

Across Nepal, government bodies, non-governmental organizations, and youth-related institutions are organizing diverse programs today. Debates, seminars, rallies, and cultural events are being held in schools, colleges, community halls, and public spaces. In this connection, the social organization Youth Network Bardibas is organizing an interactive program titled “Youth Participation in Municipal Development,” according to its president, Surinder Shah.

Experts say that if the capacity and creativity of youth can be integrated into development plans, sustainable and inclusive development is achievable. Local-level representatives have expressed their commitment to involving youth in processes from policy-making to implementation.

According to United Nations data, about 16 percent of the world’s population consists of youth aged 15 to 24. In Nepal, this proportion is even higher, making young people a decisive force in the nation’s social transformation and economic progress.