On 12 August, UNFPA celebrated the “International Youth Day” under the theme of “Safe Spaces for Youth,” involving hundreds of Libyan girls and boys in various events aimed at drawing attention to issues affecting youth worldwide and celebrating the potential and creativity of young people in Libya.

This was more than just a celebration; it constituted an opportunity to get involved and make a difference in the lives of young people around Libya, transforming public open places and refugees’ social centres into Youth Safe Spaces and addressing the growing need for peace and stability.

Among the activities organized were an improvised exhibition at Tripoli Red Fort, during which artists involved young people in the process of art creation to celebrate their talent and creativity, as well as an event dedicated to young refugees, migrants and youth civil society, which included theatre and musical performances, entertainment activities and debates. Besides young people, the participants also included national and local authorities, the Y-PEER Network, representatives of UN agencies and representatives of diplomatic corps and civil society organizations.

Celebration in different cities in Libya

In Zwara and Sebha, and in order to highlight the importance of Youth Safe Spaces, UNFPA in cooperation with UNICEF and Y-PEER network Created awareness of 233 young people through the implementation of interactive theatre shows focusing on GBV and early marriage as well music events and debate to reach out young people and fulfil their needs.

In Benghazi, 215 adolescent boys from scouts of Libya participated in an open event that discussed the Sustainable Development Goals and the importance of Life skills and healthy life styles.

In Ubari, UNFPA Libya CO in collaboration with USIP held a peacebuilding dialogue in which thirty youth-speakers participated in addressing the importance of peacebuilding among youth and strengthening the knowledge and skills of peacebuilding in young Libyans’ lives.