August 8th, 2017 ― Doha: Qatar Red Crescent (QRCS) and Qatar Youth Hostels (QYH) are set to hold a public event on Saturday, 12 August 2017, in celebration of the International Youth Day. August 8th, 2017 ― Doha: Qatar Red Crescent (QRCS) and Qatar Youth Hostels (QYH) are set to hold a public event on Saturday, 12 August 2017, in celebration of the International Youth Day. The day is observed every year on 12 August, based on the resolution of the United Nations' General Assembly in December 1999. The global theme of celebrations around the world is 'Youth Building Peace'. The International Youth Day 2017 celebrations are supported by QYH, Al-Ahli Sports Club, Soul Riders Qatar, and 0974 (a youth group of Qatar University students. A public seminar will be held to discuss the role of youth in building peace. It will be attended by guest speakers from QRCS, QYH, Ministry of Culture and Sports, National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), Reach Out To Asia (ROTA), The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and foreign embassies and communities in Qatar. In a press conference, the joint event was announced by QRCS Secretary-General, Ali bin Hassan Al-Hammadi, and Eng. Mohamed bin Mahdi Alyami, Executive Manager of QYH. The press briefing was also attended by Dr. Anna Paolini, Director, UNESCO Representative in the Arab States of Gulf and Yemen, and Khaled Al-Hammadi, Founder, Soul Riders Qatar. In his remarks, Mr. Al-Hammadi said, "As usual every year, QRCS shares local and international organizations in celebrating the International Youth Day, a UN observance marked since 2000. This year's celebrations involve events around the world to emphasize the role of young people in preventing conflict, enforcing social transformation and integration, and promoting social justice and sustainable peace". "Qatar is a great example of peace, coexistence, and social harmony in the world. This reflects on its widely evident stability, security, and prosperity, thanks to the energy of its youth, the wisdom of its seniors, and the efforts of its prominent statesmen and institutions, under the leadership of H.E. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar," he added. In conformity with the approach of the State of Qatar towards a stronger role of youth in society, Mr. Al-Hammadi pointed out, QRCS gives top priority to this important segment of society. "We have numerous educative, qualification, training, and volunteering courses/programmes for young women and men. We help them gain knowledge and skills in various areas, adopt a culture of peace and coexistence, develop themselves, and serve their society," he noted. Eng. Alyami said, "Peace does not mean there is no conflict; it is about how to deal with disagreements or clashing points of view in everyday life. As the power of a country or economy is centered around young people, they should have an attitude of change and peacebuilding". "Youth hostels is a leading international organization," he revealed. "QYH has more than 3,500 members. Our vision is to keep in touch with youth, listen to them, and unlock their potential". Dr. Paolini said, "There are currently 1.8 million young people between the ages of 10 and 24 in the world. This is the largest youth population ever. Young women and men have got the creativity, the potential, and the capacity to make change happen – for themselves, for their societies, and for the rest of the world". "UNESCO's work with and for youth is committed to empowering young women and men and helping them to work together to drive social innovation and change, participate fully in the development of their societies, eradicate poverty and inequality, and foster a culture of peace," she told the reporters.