by Kristin Esber
It’s August once again, and TheOneHourProject unites in celebrating International Youth Day!
Every August 12, the United Nations (UN) celebrates this day to empower the youth and raise awareness of their issues and rights since 1999. On this day, they promote youth participation in political, economic, and social spheres and raise awareness of cultural and legal concerns. They achieve this by having youth-led workshops, conferences, and seminars. They also have art exhibitions, concerts, and theater performances showcasing the creativity of the youth. They hold volunteering, community service projects, and environmental clean-ups led by youth groups. Online campaigns to spread awareness are also conducted to reach people globally.
This year’s theme is “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development.” It focuses on how data and technology can help achieve sustainable development goals, highlighting the role of young people in driving the digital transition. Just as TheOneHourProject aims to build a network of digital, creative, and social media experts who want to support nonprofit organizations in their digital journey to collectively use digital for good, the UN aims to showcase how positive outcomes can arise from digital means. Various digital innovations and solutions led by youth at national and international levels promote long-term, sustainable growth. The youth have embraced these goals, leading volunteer efforts to achieve not only this year’s objectives but also those of the past and future.
In a 2022 Greenpeace article, they shared how young volunteers of Greenpeace Philippines led a campaign urging world leaders to make large climate polluters accountable for worsening climate change and to hold them financially responsible for any losses or damages resulting from the crisis’ effects. Another example is the youth initiative “Party 4 the Planet,” an online solidarity dance competition allowing young Filipinos passionate about the environment to contribute to climate justice in a playful and imaginative way. In India, the youth of Fridays for Future India, a global people’s movement for climate justice inspired by Greta Thunberg’s campaign, use social media to plan climate strikes and raise awareness of climate action. Similarly, the youth volunteers and members of the ASEAN Youth Organization, an NGO established in Indonesia, encourage youth leadership and equip young people with the knowledge, skills, and abilities they need to spearhead digital sustainability projects through online seminars focused on sustainable development and digital skills.
The youth volunteers of TheOneHourProject also dedicate at least one hour of their time to various volunteer efforts, most of them digitally with partners from Singapore and Philippines, making a meaningful difference in their communities. This UN initiative and the celebration of International Youth Day demonstrate how youth can change lives through volunteering and advocating for their causes especially in a digital way. It shows that there is no age requirement for volunteering; even at a young age, youth can make a significant impact. The youth can lead too. With the right motivation, anyone can volunteer. Anyone with the skills he or she has can make a big difference.
Do you want to see opportunities to volunteer and make a difference? Check out the volunteer opportunities below.
Also to support us, follow us on Linkedin or Instagram at @theonehourproject.
