National Youth Day is annually celebrated in Thailand on the 20th of September to show support for the youth of the country so they can realize the significance of their responsibilities towards national development, and to encourage stability and prosperity throughout the country. This year, the theme was focused on creating safe spaces for the youth to express themselves, creating mutual respect and constructive dialogue and to inspire youth empowerment.
Playing into this year's theme, Rays of Youth organized its own National Youth Day on 22 September to celebrate and raise awareness on "A Safe Space for Children and Youth on the Move". The day was dedicated to educating the youth on various topics and help them find a path for their future. The event began with several performances from members of the ROY music team, followed by welcoming speeches, handing out of awards to the role models of the National Youth Day, as well as more performances and presentations from the youth.
After the opening ceremony, all participants were able to go on a study tour through the many booths and exhibitions that had been set up to empower them. The booths included pathways to education (such as Thai non-formal education and GED), information on vocational training, insight on sexual reproductive health rights, life skills, and active citizenship. The afternoon then commenced with a voice competition in which everyone was welcome to showcase their talents through songs and performances. This was a highly anticipated part of the day, and everyone was ready to give their best performance. Although this portion of the event was designed as a competition, it was meant to allow all participating youth to express themselves and empower them through music and art.
We would like to thank our donors, Diakonia, and Plan International, for their constant support, as well as everyone who dedicated their time and efforts into creating such an inspiring and successful event, this would not have been possible without your help!
