Youth across Bahrain will be celebrating International Youth Day (IYD) tomorrow with initiatives to make the kingdom and community a better place.
IYD is aimed at helping bring international attention to current issues surrounding the youth.
This year’s theme focuses on localising Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are 17 targets set by the UN to combat global issues like poverty, discrimination and climate change.
The GDN previously reported that the Youth Affairs Ministry is organising a comprehensive national event to mark the day, which will include an exclusive artistic performance.
The 2025 event, themed ‘Empowering Youth for a Sustainable Future’, will take place tomorrow as part of the 14th edition of the Youth City 2030 project.
Bahrain’s first Young Farmers’ Market is also set to mark the occasion, in collaboration with the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry and the National Initiative for Agricultural Development.
The market, which is meant to nurture a love for gardening and agriculture amongst young Bahrainis, will run until August 14.
“This initiative marks a significant milestone, reflecting strong government collaboration and showcasing youth innovation by creating productive spaces that foster their active role in achieving sustainable development goals,” the ministry stated.
On the global level, this year’s IYD’s official commemoration will be held in Nairobi, Kenya where youth leaders, policymakers and environmentalists gather to exchange ideas and come up with solutions to global issues.
The theme, ‘Youth Localising the SDGs’, highlights the unique role of youth in implementing global goals within specific local contexts and aligning them with community needs.
Student Samaa Ahmed spoke to the GDN about her participation in efforts related to children’s rights, after joining the National Institute for Human Rights (NIHR) Child Rights Leaders Programme this summer.
According to the 17-year-old Bahraini, the programme puts young participants in contact with policymakers, to make their voices heard and to give insights when it comes time to write legislation.
“We met the Child Rights Commissioner (Dr Hooreya Abbas Aldairi) to gain more knowledge about child rights, and we are currently planning methods to raise awareness about it,” she said.
As ambassadors of child rights in Bahrain, the youth team went on field visits to several governmental organisations, including the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Social Development Ministry.
Another high school student, Hadeel Al Alawi weighed in, stating how she was aware that, as a teen, her options to make a noticeable difference are limited and that she still tries her best to contribute.
“I know that the little things add up,” the 16-year-old Grade 12 student from Al Wisam School said.
“I contribute to SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production) by consuming eco-friendly and recyclable products constantly.
“When it comes to SDG 4 (quality education), I am volunteering to teach young public schoolchildren English in order for them to gain a higher quality education.”
The teenager further explained how she has also participated in multiple beach clean-up efforts to reduce land and water pollution.
Beach clean-ups keep litter, debris and other pollutants from the shore, and have been spearheaded in Bahrain by non-profit organisations like Cleanup Bahrain which partners with schools in their efforts.
Additionally, the country presents the King Hamad Award to deserving young individuals in another effort to empower the youth of Bahrain and achieve the SDGs.
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