Happy International Youth Day!

According to the United Nations, there are about 1.8 billion young people between the ages of 10 and 24 currently living in the world — that's the largest youth population ever recorded! Unfortunately, factors such as political instability, civil unrest, labour market conditions, and limited avenues for political participation present challenges to youth in many societies. For instance, 1 in 10 of the world’s children live in conflict zones, and 24 million of them do not attend school.

The theme of this year's International Youth Day is “Transforming Education”. Education is essential to youth development, plays a role in preventing civil conflict, and greatly benefits economies and society as a whole. The world's youth are often the largest champions of inclusive and accessible education; young people are sparking change through efforts such as lobbying and political activism, partnerships with educational institutions, and more!

Take the time today to thank God for the blessing of inclusive, publicly-funded education that we enjoy in Canada, and pray for the incredible youth of the world as they work towards the admirable goal of ensuring accessible education for all!

Head to the United Nations website to learn more about International Youth Day and how you can help spread the word about Transforming Education.