One of the greatest privileges of our work is getting to hear young people’s hopes and dreams for the future.
Whether they’re preparing to finish school, reconnecting with family, finding their first job, moving towards independence or working through a difficult period in life, the things they talk about are often similar.
Each year on 12 August, International Youth Day celebrates the contributions of young people around the world while raising awareness of the challenges and opportunities that shape their lives. It’s a chance to recognise young people as active participants in their communities and to reflect on what is needed to help them thrive.
This year’s International Youth Day theme “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations” highlights that while young people’s experiences may differ depending on where they live and the circumstances they face, their hopes for the future are often shared.
At OzChild, we see this every day. We see young people finding their voice, stepping outside their comfort zone, rebuilding confidence and achieving goals that might have previously been beyond reach. We see young people supporting their peers, strengthening relationships, pursuing education and employment opportunities and taking important steps towards the future they want for themselves.
While every young person’s journey is different, the support they need is often the same. They need people who believe in them and opportunities to thrive.
OzChild Chief Executive Officer, Dr Lisa J. Griffiths says International Youth Day is also a reminder that young people are not simply preparing for the future, they are helping shape it.
“Every young person deserves the opportunity to be heard, supported and empowered to reach their full potential. At OzChild, we see every day what can happen when young people are given the right support at the right time. Young people are not simply preparing for the future, they are helping shape it right now through their ideas, perspectives and contributions to their communities.
International Youth Day is an important reminder of our collective responsibility to ensure every young person has the opportunity to thrive.”
Dr Lisa J. Griffiths
This year’s theme encourages us to look beyond the circumstances that make young people’s experiences different and focus on what connects them. The desire to belong, to be heard, to have opportunities and to create a positive future is something shared by young people across communities and cultures.
At OzChild, we know that when young people are given the right support and opportunities, they can achieve incredible things. We see it in the young people who build confidence, strengthen relationships, pursue education and employment and take positive steps towards the future they want for themselves.
This International Youth Day, we celebrate the strengths and aspirations of young people everywhere. We also recognise our joint responsibility to ensure every young person has the opportunity to be heard and empowered to reach their full potential. When young people thrive, our communities are stronger for it.
Despite the evidence, funding decisions too often prioritise managing immediate demand rather than investing in proven solutions that reduce pressure on systems over time. Dr Lisa J. Griffiths shares her thoughts during Child Protection Week.
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