零五英语编者按：国际青年日是全世界革命青年反帝国主义、反军国主义、反世界大战的纪念日。国际青年日的产生，正当是第一次帝国主义世界大战打得昏天地黑，各国社会民主党都一齐在保护资产阶级祖国的名义之下，而完全出卖工人阶级的利益的时候举行的。当时各国革命青年于1915五年在瑞京举行国际青年大会，决定国际青年反对世界大战一致的步骤，并决定以每年的九月第一星期日为国际青年日。1999年12月17日，联合国大会赞同主管青年事务部长世界会议关于宣布8月12日为国际青年日的建议。
Secretary-General’s Message on International Youth Day国际青年日致辞
August 12, 20122012年8月12日
Today’s generation of youth — the largest the world has ever known, and the vast majority of whom live in developing countries — has unprecedented potential to advance the well-being of the entire human family. Yet too many young people, including those who are highly educated, suffer from low-wage, dead-end work and record levels of unemployment. The global economic crisis has hit youth the hardest, and many are understandably discouraged by rising inequalities. A large number have no immediate prospects and are disenfranchised from the political, social and development processes in their countries. Without urgent measures, we risk creating a “lost generation” of squandered talent and dreams.
当代青年是有史以来人数最多的，大部分居住在发展中国家，在推进全人类福利方面有着前所未有的潜力。然而，有许多青年，包括那些教育程度很高的人，从事收入低和没有前途的工作，其失业率之高是前所未有的。全球经济危机对青年的冲击最大，许多青年理所当然地对贫富不均现象感到沮丧。有许多人看不到前途，被剥夺了参与本国政治、社会和发展进程的权利。如果不迅速采取措施，就可能产生才能得不到发挥和理想破灭的“迷失的一代”。
Working with and for young people is one of my top priorities. Youth are a transformative force; they are creative, resourceful and enthusiastic agents of change, be it in public squares or cyberspace. From their pivotal role in efforts to achieve freedom, democracy and equality, to their global mobilization in support of the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development, youth have energetically demonstrated yet again their capacity and desire to turn the tide of history and tackle global challenges.
与青年合作和为青年服务是我的一个最高优先事项。青年是改革的动力；他们富有创造力，多才多艺，充满活力，不论是在公共广场，还是在网络空间，都是改革的动力。从发挥重大作用以推动自由、民主和平等，到动员全球支持联合国里约+20可持续发展大会，青年再次积极表明了他们扭转历史潮流和应对全球挑战的能力和愿望。
Young men and women are not passive beneficiaries, but equal and effective partners. Their aspirations extend far beyond jobs; youth also want a seat at the table — a real voice in shaping the policies that shape their lives. We need to listen to and engage with young people. We need to establish more and stronger mechanisms for youth participation. The time has come to integrate youth voices more meaningfully into decision-making processes at all levels.
男女青年不是被动的受益人，而是平等和有效的伙伴。他们不只是希望找到工作；他们还希望参加决定他们生活的决策进程并真正拥有发言权。我们要听取青年的意见并同他们沟通。我们要建立更多更有力的促进青年参与机制。现在是让青年更切实地参与各级决策工作的时候了。
Around the world, there is growing recognition of the need to strengthen policies and investments involving young people. On International Youth Day, I call on Governments, the private sector, civil society and academia to open doors for young people and strengthen partnerships with youth-led organizations. Youth can determine whether this era moves toward greater peril or more positive change. Let us support the young people of our world so they grow into adults who raise yet more generations of productive and powerful leaders.
在全球各地，人们日益认识到需要加强与青年有关的政策和投资。值此国际青年日，我呼吁各国政府、私营部门、民间社会和学术界向青年打开大门，加强与青年组织的协作。青年可以决定这一时代是走向更大的危险，还是走向更积极的变革。让我们支持全世界的青年，让他们成长成人，产生新一代有成效的强大领导人。
