International Youth Day is a United Nations event held annually on 12th August to celebrate young people’s success and initiatives in the global society. It’s also a great way for them to get involved and help encourage active participation in helping the rest of the society.

‘Young people are not only our future – they are our present. Our planet has never been so young, with 1.8 billion young women and men. They are the most connected, the most outspoken and the most open-minded generation the world has ever seen.’ This is what Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO tells us in a recent message.

In 1999, August 12th was declared ‘International Youth Day’ by the United Nations. 17 years later people across the globe highlight the importance of young people in shaping our global future. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said in a message: ‘On International Youth Day, I urge others to join this global push for progress. Let us empower young people with the resources, backing and space they need to create lasting change in our world.’

Each year there is a theme, designed to engage and support young people in discussing issues essential to global development, this years theme is “The Road to 2030: Eradicating Poverty and Achieving Sustainable Consumption and Production”.

A survey of our current students shows that more than 50% are under the age of 25 compared to that of 25% in 1990, a huge increase of young learners. We also have students based around the world working their studies around all kinds of employment, whether full time or part-time. Students come from all walks of life to learn with NEC.

At NEC, we’re proud of our students achievements and so today is a perfect opportunity to celebrate our young learners as well as shedding a light for other people thinking of becoming a student. We have gathered a few case studies to emphasise just how important our students are and how far they’ve come.

Nineteen-year-old Elliot from Nottinghamshire studied government and politics, history and law A levels with NEC, taking his A2 exams last summer. He achieved top marks: A and A* grades in all three subjects, and was subsequently accepted to study law at Cambridge University’s Robinson College.

In just two years, home-educated Susie has been awarded a grade B in her IGSCE exams in Biology, English Language, Maths and Physics. But that’s just the start for 16-year old Susie. Now, she’s studying for her IGCSE in English Literature and is on the road to fulfilling her ambition to be a full-time writer.

Home-educated Isobel was taught maths by her father, but she chose four more IGCSEs from NEC to study at the same time. She opted for English language, geography and biology, seeing them as key subjects, as well as child development, which she thought would help prepare her for motherhood later in life.

These are just a few of our admirable students who work very hard to get into college and university and even follow their ambitions like being a writer. This is why it’s important to celebrate and recognise our students success.

You can find out more about our students by reading their stories. You too will see the superstars that they are. You can also find out more about our range of courses on our website.

If you’d like to get involved with International Youth Day head over to the United Nations website to find out more. Let’s start celebrating education and young people’s achievements.