Statistics from the United Nations reveal that there are currently 1.8 billion young people between the ages of 10 and 24 in the world. This is the largest youth population ever.
However, 1 in 10 of the world’s children live in conflict zones and 24 million of them are deprived of schooling. Millions of others, mainly young girls, are vulnerable to being tricked, trapped and trafficked.
Political instability, labour market challenges and limited opportunities for political and civic participation have led to increasing isolation of youth in many societies.
12 August has been designated as International Youth Day by the UN General Assembly and serves as an annual celebration of the role of young women and men as essential partners in change and an opportunity to raise awareness of challenges and problems facing the world’s youth.
For over two hundred years Brigidine Sisters have worked with young people in schools, parishes and other settings. We are encouraged by the following words of UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres:
“The hopes of the world rest on young people. Peace, economic dynamism, social justice, tolerance — all this and more, today and tomorrow, depends on tapping into the power of youth.”