International Youth Day – August 12

International Youth Day - August 12

Toronto – August 11, 2016 – Every year the United Nations' (UN) International Youth Day is observed on August 12. This event was established in 2000 as a means of raising awareness of the issues affecting young people around the world.

Now in its sixteenth year, IYD is part of the UN's broader World Programme of Action for Youth, an initiative that aims to promote the wellbeing and livelihood of young people through international action.

As Canada's leading union for young workers, UFCW Canada constantly works to engage and empower youth through several groundbreaking initiatives. Our Young Workers Internship Program (YIP) is one of the premier training and education programs for young labour activists in Canada, and the Students Against Migrant Exploitation project (S.A.M.E.) educates thousands of elementary, high school, and university students on human and labour rights, and the plight of migrant and temporary workers in Canada. UFCW Canada also supports the Jack Layton School for Youth Leadership at Ryerson University, which aims to enhance the youth leadership capacity of politically engaged students through networking, skill development, and knowledge building.

UFCW Canada members and allies are invited to join the celebration of International Youth Day by displaying UFCW Canada's newest poster to honour and raise awareness of this important global event. The poster is freely available to download and print in both English and French. You can also show your support by using the International Youth Day poster image as your profile picture on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites.