The Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports joins in celebrating the International Youth Day, which is celebrated every year on 12 August around the world with the aim of drawing attention to the issues, needs and challenges of young people and highlighting their role as key resources and partners in the development of society.

The International Youth Day was proclaimed by Resolution 54/120 of the United Nations General Assembly on 17 December 1999, on the recommendation of the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (Lisbon, 1998). This day is a global platform for promoting youth activism, recognizing their initiatives and encouraging their inclusion in social, cultural, economic and political processes.

The young people make up a significant part of the population in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and represent an invaluable potential for social, economic and cultural development. Over the past two years, the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports has, in partnership with the young people, undertaken a number of activities aimed at improving their position. These include the development of the Youth Strategy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the increase of the Youth Transfer and the establishment of the Youth Council of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We hope that these activities will be completed and further improved in the near future.

The International Youth Day is an ideal opportunity to reflect on the interests, desires and needs of the young people, but also a reminder that throughout the year we must support their priorities and face new challenges together. The Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports remains committed to creating an enabling environment in which young people can fully develop their potential, contribute to the progress of their communities and build a more just, inclusive society.