Edmund Rice Justice Bulletin

UN Photo/ Paulo Filgueiras

In 1999 the United Nations General Assembly declared 12 August as  International Youth Day. The theme of International Youth Day 2013 is "Youth Migration: Moving Development Forward "

Young people make up a significant share of the global number of international migrants. In 2010, there were an estimated 27 million international young migrants. While migration can often offer valuable opportunities and contribute to the development of communities and society at large, it can also pose risks and lead to unacceptable situations, including discrimination and exploitation.

The 2013 observance of International Youth Day is intended to raise awareness of the opportunities and risks associated with youth migration, share knowledge and information stemming from recent research and analysis on this topic, and engage young people in discussions on their migration experiences.

The 2013 World Youth Report (WYR) on Youth Migration and Development is due to be launched on 12 August. The Report will offer a multidimensional perspective of the life experiences of youth migrants, as well as some insights on the role of youth participation in migration-development policymaking and practice.

The ILO "Global Trends in Youth Labour Migration" report, which presents findings from research conducted in nine different countries and at the level of two regions on the motivations and experiences of young people who leave their home countries in search of employment and the policy implications from these trends, will also be launched on this day.