The proclamation of the International Year of Youth on 18 December 2009, approx. eight months before its commencement, generated mixed feelings at the UN. On the one hand, there was great joy as to increased potential of re-asserting and celebrating the importance of youth on a global stage. On the other hand, there was wide skepticism as to the realistic capacity of properly organizing an International Year of Youth within such a short timeframe.

25 years afterwards the UN proclaimed 2010 as the International Year of Youth: “Dialogue and Mutual Understanding” in an effort to harness the energy, imagination and initiative of the world’s youth in overcoming the challenges facing humankind, from enhancing peace to boosting economic development. Several international events are scheduled throughout the year, including the Fifth World Youth Congress from 31 July to 13 August in Istanbul, and the World Conference for Youth in Mexico City from 24 to 27 August.  

However, at some points, coherence and vision are missing with respect to this 2^nd International Year of Youth. There might be a number of youth-related events at the horizon, which are in fact always present in a form or another. BUT the question is: where are they heading to? What are they aiming at? What are the short-, medium- and long-term objectives of this Year per se? What is its scope? Quo vadis?  

Given the recent proclamation, the inquiry is – by no means – meant as a critique. Instead, it is an invitation to all Member States, international organizations, civil society and further stakeholders to start thinking about it and to come together with strategic plans of actions for making the most out of the coming International Year of Youth. Dialogue and Mutual Understanding are direly needed!