I have been waiting for a long time and now it’s time for the UN Year of Youth to begin. Under the tagline “Our Year, Our Voice” young people from around the world will speak up for more participation, more empowerment and more cooperation across generations and work together for a future that they want to grow up in.

From August 12th 2010 to August 11th 2011 thousands of initiatives, projects and events will put youth participation in top of the agenda and create the foundation for a long term process towards a sustainable development.

The International Year is about advancing the full and effective participation of youth in all aspects of society. We encourage all sectors of society to work in partnership with youth and youth organizations to better understand their needs and concerns and to recognize the contributions that they can make to society.

Youth participation are important for many reasons, the two I usually bring up are;

* The young generation will grow up in the shadow of the decisions being made today, and should have some way to influence these decisions.

* If young people feel that their voices are being listened to it’s a greater possibility that they will use their energy and frustration in a constructive way rather then a destructive.

It will be hard work to change the world. But if we work together we can make it. Join the (r)evolution!