History of Youth at the United Nations
In 1965, United Nations Members States first acknowledged that the contribution of young people – defined by the United Nations as those between the ages of 15 and 24 years – is essential for the development of society when they endorsed the
Declaration on the Promotion among Youth of the Ideals of Peace, Mutual Respect and Understanding between Peoples. Twenty years later, the General Assembly observed 1985 as the first International Youth Year: Participation, Development and Peace. In 1995, Member States strengthened their commitment to young people by adopting the
World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY) – which provides a policy framework and practical guidelines for national action and international support to improve the situation of young people by increasing their access to opportunities for constructive participation in society. In 2007, the General Assembly expanded upon the WPAY by adopting additional issue areas, bringing the total to fifteen areas of priority focus which are: education; employment; hunger and poverty; health; environment; drug abuse; juvenile delinquency; leisure-time activities; girls and young women; participation; globalization; information and communications technologies; HIV/AIDS; youth and conflict; and intergenerational relations.
