2024 - A Year of Action
In 2024, there are key global moments and events that will shape the year for young people and young countries.
Read the article to explore how these moments and many more will influence the world stage:
January
Jan 1 – BRICS+ expansion includes new members, enhancing economic collaboration for young countries.
Mickey Mouse will belong to you and me. With several asterisks, qualification and caveats, Mickey Mouse in his earliest form will be the leader of the band of characters, films and books that will become public domain.
Jan 15-19 – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, bringing together leaders from over 100 governments, all major international organizations, as well as civil society leaders, experts, youth representatives, social entrepreneurs, and news outlets.
Jan 24 – Open call for Young Leader nominations for the Engine Room Action Groups.
Jan 29 – Chinese New Year. Celebrates cultural diversity and heritage, particularly significant for young people of Chinese descent worldwide.
February
Feb 7 – Unlock CEO Meeting, bringing together leaders from across the Unlock the Future coalition to chart a course for the coalition’s strategy throughout 2024 and beyond.
16-18 Feb – Munich Security Conference (MSC) Global, an independent forum that brings together policymakers to discuss the more critical international security issues, including major conflicts and escalating threats.
Feb 20 – World Day of Social Justice, an opportunity to foster dialogue with Member States, youth, social partners, civil society, UN organizations and other stakeholders on actions needed to strengthen the social contract.
Feb 20-23 – HLPF Preparatory Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for Asia and the Pacific.
Feb 21 – Call for Young Leader nominations for the Engine Room Action Groups closes.
Feb 24 – Anniversary of the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
March
First week of March – Unlock coalition Geneva Meeting.
March 5-7 – HLPF Preparatory Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for Western Africa.
March 8 – International Women's Day highlights gender equality issues crucial for young women's empowerment globally.
March 11-22 – The sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women.
March 13-14 – HLPF Preparatory Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for Europe.
March 24-25 – Holi Festival, celebrating diversity and unity, teaching young generations about cultural tolerance and joy.
April
April 2, 9-11AM ET – Engine Room Pitstop 1 | Launch of the 2024 Engine Room
April 4 – 75th Anniversary of NATO, an opportunity to discuss peace and security issues relevant to the youth, especially in a geopolitically volatile world.
April 7 – 30th Anniversary of Rwandan Genocide, a somber reminder of the consequences of hate, vital for educating young people on peace and reconciliation.
April 12-14 – Coachella Music and Arts Festival, a platform for young creatives, artistic expression and cultural trends, deeply influential for global culture.
April 15-19 – HLPF Preparatory Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for Latin America and the Caribbean.
April 16-18 – ECOSOC Youth Forum and Road to 2100 Side Event.
April 22 – Earth Day, raising environmental awareness, crucial for young people leading the charge on climate action.
April 22 – Spotlight 1 – Deep Listening
April 23-25 – HLPF Preparatory Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for Africa.
April – IMF and World Bank meetings, discussing economic policies affecting young countries.
May
May 6 – Engine Room Pitstop 2 (TBC), serving as a curtain-raising event for the civil society organization touchpoint in Nairobi.
May 7-11 – Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden, emphasizing cultural diversity around the world and the importance for young creatives to show global solidarity.
May 9-10 – United Nations Civil Society Conference in Support of the Summit of the Future (Nairobi), providing an opportunity for multi-stakeholder engagement ahead of the Summit of the Future and a venue for civil society to participate in the preparations process.
May 11 (TBC) – Unlock Coalition Summit (Nairobi), bringing together partners from across the Unlock coalition to advance joint action to launch the Unlock Funders Collective at the Summit of the Future 2024.
Mid May: Launch of the comms for the future campaign
May 18-24 – The 10th World Water Forum.
May 25 – Africa Day, celebrating African unity and heritage, significant for young Africans and diaspora in shaping the continent's future.
May 30-31 – 2024 Ai for Good Global Summit.
June
June 5 – World Environment Day, emphasizing environmental conservation, a pressing concern for the younger generation globally.
June 5-6 – European Parliament elections, where Member States will hold elections for European Parliament representatives.
June 6 – 80th D-Day anniversary, offering historical insights to young generations.
June 12 – Spotlight 2 | Challenge Mapping
June 20 – World Refugee Day, meant to bring public awareness to the difficult situations faced by the millions of refugees scattered across our globe.
July
July 8-17 – High-Level Political Forum 2024 and launch of the Visionary Taskforce.
July 8, 9- 11AM ET – Engine Room Pitstop #2 HLPF.
TBC – Campaign for the Future.
July 11 – World Population Day, dedicated to focusing on issues related to world population growth.
July 15 – World Youth Skills Day, an annual event which seeks to raise awareness of global population issues.
July 26 - Aug – Olympics in Paris, a global sports event promoting global diversity and solidarity.
August
Aug 9 – International Day of the World’s Indigenous People held on a significant date as it marks the first meeting – back in 1982 – of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations.
Aug 12 – International Youth Day, recognizing the role of young people in driving social change, crucial for youth empowerment.
Aug 12, 8-9AM ET – Spotlight 3 | Creative Brainstorm.
Aug 12 – Geneva Convention Anniversary, marking the adoption of the Geneva Conventions, a cornerstone of international humanitarian law. For young people and emerging nations, it symbolizes a commitment to global peace, the protection of human rights, and the rules of war, which is crucial in shaping a more just and safe world for future generations.
September
Sept 3 – Spotlight 4 | Ideas into Action
Sept 16, 9-11AM ET – Engine Room Pitstop 3: Curtain Raiser
Sept 15 – International Day of Democracy, to promote the principles of democratic government, celebrate the progress of democratic reforms, and to raise public awareness about the lack of democracy that still exists in many parts of the world.
Sept 16 – Summit of the Future Curtain Raiser, the event will welcome young people and leaders from around the world to an event format filled with inspiration, dialogue, and action in the lead-up to the Summit of the Future.
Sept 21 – UN Summit of the Future, a platform to discuss global issues affecting the future, pivotal for young leaders and change-makers.
Sept 21 – Launch of the Unlock Funders Collective, an initiative designed to unlock increased and improved funding for young people.
Sept 21 – International Day of Peace, a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and ceasefire.
October
Oct 1 – 75th Anniversary of People's Republic of China, an opportunity for young people, especially in China, to reflect on historical and future national developments.
Oct – IMF and World Bank annual meetings, discussing global financial policies impacting young countries.
Oct – BRICS Summit
Oct – NASA's Europa Clipper launch, a space mission inspiring young audiences in science.
Oct 24 – United Nations Day, celebrating its 'birthday', which took place when the UN Charter was finally officially and fully ratified on 24 October 1945
November
Nov 5 – United States Presidential Election, a significant event in global politics, impacting young people worldwide through U.S. foreign and domestic policies.
Nov 18 - 19 – G20 Summit hosted by Brazil in Rio de Janeiro and then South Africa ascends to G20 Presidency.
Nov – COP29 climate conference, continuing important global climate discussions.
Nov 25 – Spotlight 5 | Share and Validate
December
Dec 2024 – ISRO's Shukrayaan mission to Venus, India's venture into space exploration inspiring young scientists and young countries.
Dec 2-13 – UNCCD Conference of Parties 16th session, where Saudi Arabia will host the UN Convention to Combat Desertification COP16 in Riyadh.
Dec 10 – Human Rights Day, marking one of the world's most groundbreaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
Dec 11, 9-11AM ET – Engine Room Pitstop #4
Dec 20 – International Human Solidarity Day, emphasizing the importance of working together to address global challenges and promote the well-being of all people
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