Healthy Mind features

Encourage your children to get involved in International Youth Day by organising a concert, an exhibition, a public debate or joining an organised event aimed at celebrating the contribution young people make to the world.

International Youth Day is an annual initiative run by the United Nations that celebrates the talent, individuality and diversity of young people all over the world. It also provides the opportunity for the international community to demonstrate their commitment to young people, according to the UN's General Assembly.

This year's International Youth Day on August 12 is notable in that it will herald the beginning of International Year of Youth, a new initiative announced by the General Assembly in December 2009.

The theme of International Youth Day 2010 is 'Dialogue and Mutual Understanding' -among young people from different cultures, as well as among different generations.

The UN says there will be celebrations all over the world, which will highlight opportunities and challenges for young people throughout the International Year of Youth in different regions and countries.

So what happens on International Youth Day and how can young people get involved?

In addition to taking part in the organised celebrations, the UN General Assembly suggests many ways for young people to get involved. Its ideas include:

• Think about what you can do in your own community to promote the aims of the Year and Day. Make it fun and use all your communication channels to spread the message (Facebook, Twitter, university newsletters, local newspapers etc).
• Organise a public meeting or debate to discuss young people's contributions to global issues.
• Organise a youth forum to exchange ideas and discuss cultural backgrounds to help young people accept others and promote a culture of non-violence.
• Organise a concert to promote International Youth Day and invite local musicians.
• Create an "info point" about youth-related issues in your town centre, school or university.
• Get permission to use a public space for an arts exhibition that represents the challenges facing young people today or showcases the contribution young people make to developing mutual understanding.
• Write to your Minister of Youth to inform him or her about the challenges young people face in their daily lives and to suggest solutions. (A list of Ministers of Youth can be found at www.un.org/youth.)

In addition to UN initiatives, local councils and other organisations working with young people will be suggesting ways to get involved, or hosting their own local, regional or national events.

Get your kids to check out their local council website, as well as the 'useful websites' listed below to see what's happening in their own area.

Young people benefit in all kinds of ways from getting involved in organised activities and schemes run by youth organisations. While acquiring new life, social and work-related skills, they'll be keeping physically active, having fun and making new friends.

The additional experience, training and skills gained will be invaluable when they come to preparing CVs for university and job applications.

Getting involved in local projects can help build confidence and self-esteem, and they can take pride in the knowledge that their efforts are helping to improve the environment or lives of people in their own community.

If your kids are passionate about particular issues that affect young people, getting in touch with the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) could allow them to make their voice heard. Current campaigns include abolishing university tuition fees, free recycling for schools and introducing a public transport discount card for young people.

Those aged 12-17 who love animals could join the RSPCA (teenage membership costs £10 a year). Or, if your kids are adventurous types, exploration might appeal to them: point them in the direction of the Young Explorers' Trust.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is a popular choice for young people aged 14-24 who relish the opportunity to gain formal recognition for their personal initiative and hard work. The programmes are offered at three levels (Bronze, Silver and Gold) and are awarded to those who successfully complete a personal programme of activities in four or five sections.

Other well-known national youth organisations and initiatives with local or regional representation include the Scouts, Girls Guides, the Prince's Trust and the British Youth Council. For further information, see the links below.

United Nations International Youth Day
http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/iyouthday.htm

UK Youth Parliament
http://www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk/4598.html

St John Ambulance
http://www.sja.org.uk/young_people/default.asp

RSPCA's teenage membership
http://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/theden/teenagemembership

Young Explorers' Trust
http://www.theyet.org

Duke of Edinburgh's Award
http://www.dofe.org

Scouts
http://www.scouts.org.uk

Girl Guides
http://girlguiding.org.uk

Prince's Trust
http://www.princes-trust.org.uk

British Youth Council
http://www.byc.org.uk

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