Celebrate International Youth Day on August 12 by recognizing the potential of young people to effect positive change globally. Learn about CRS's efforts to empower youth through education, life skills and leadership opportunities. Join us in supporting young leaders in their mission to build a more just and peaceful world.
“The church and the world need you, the young, as much as the earth needs rain.”
—Pope Francis
Celebrating International Youth Day
International Youth Day, celebrated on August 12, brings young people together in solidarity to address the issues they care about deeply. This day is dedicated to raising awareness of youth issues and recognizing the immense potential young people have to effect positive change globally. The theme of International Youth Day 2024 is “Digital Contributions of Youth and Pathways Towards Achieving Sustainable Development.”
Orivas Prod for CRS
Linabimon Poutan enjoys lunch as a student in class level CM2 [5th grade] at the Kondjado primary school in Dankpen prefecture, in northern Togo's Kara region.
Honoring Young People Around the World
CRS believes in the power of youth as decision-makers and leaders in their communities. To empower young people to contribute to sustainable change, it is essential to provide them with education, life skills, livelihood opportunities and systems that prepare and protect them, enabling their active participation in decisions about their futures.
Through a holistic and positive youth development approach, CRS collaborates with communities, local partners and governments to help youth worldwide realize their full potential. Our programs focus on:
- Economic strengthening
- Agricultural livelihoods
- Education
- Health
- Peacebuilding
Addressing the needs of young people is a cross-cutting theme in all our work, as CRS aims to highlight the importance of youth in building a more just and peaceful world.
Jerry Andrianaivoarivony/CRS
Johnna Nirina Narcisse and his neighbors look through photos from the last time a CRS photographer visited him. Johnna built a hydroelectric generator to produce power in his small community of Ambodinafia in Madagascar.
Make a Gift to Youth
Young people have an innate ability to see the world as beautiful and worth fighting for. They desire to connect, improve systems and build better societies. Despite the dire situations often depicted in the media, our youth possess the remarkable gift of finding light in the darkness. CRS is committed to fueling the fires of justice already burning within young people across the United States, providing them with the tools they need to grow as leaders within our shared Catholic faith.
Oscar Leiva/Silverlight for CRS
Juanita Solis, 13, her sister, Kimberly Solis, 10, and a friend, Petrona Brito, 14, play ball together in Pexla Grande Nebaj Quiché, Guatemala. The three young women became friends at Caritas and CRS’s Strong Project Learning Circle.
“Dear young people, never lose your courage to dream big and to live life completely! Adopt the culture of care and spread it. Become champions of fraternity. Face life’s challenges by letting yourselves be guided by God and by good counsellors.”
—Pope Francis, Youth Day
Youth should be recognized not only on International Youth Day but throughout the year. Consider helping young people around the world by making a donation today.
Oscar Leiva/Silverlight for CRS
Keiry Lopez and other young members of Youth With Vision of the Future GAAP Group pose together in La Paz, Honduras.
Lift Your Voice for Our Global Family
Lift your voice now to tell lawmakers you care about helping our sisters and brothers in need around the world. Your voice is needed more than ever to protect lifesaving international assistance!