(Every day is) International Youth Day - Clifton Grima

On August 12, the world celebrates International Youth Day, a special date earmarked to remind us all that our hopes rest on young people.

We strongly believe that every day of the year is International Youth Day, but on this annual occasion we strive to place our youth under a global spotlight. We need to emphasise the important role young people play in every community and the world at large. They represent the present and the future and this special day seeks to remind us all what they stand for and what the world stands to gain from investing in them.

International Youth Day was conceived by the United Nations, and this year’s theme is Safe Spaces for Youth. The youth sector requires the right environment to grow and thrive. We are constantly working to create and to nurture a space where young people may be able to exercise their full potential.

This is not merely a physical space but one with a plethora of layers: social, cultural, personal, emotional, educational and much more. We need a space that promotes active participation and inclusion, social justice and tolerance. This is the kind of environment we want to create and consolidate to allow young people to develop...