“On this day, I call upon everyone to make possible a country at the service of young people and young people at the service of the country, working together for the Portugal we want,” reads a message from the head of State, published on the official website of the Presidency of the Republic.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa wanted to mark the International Youth Day “recognizing the concerns and legitimate ambitions of all young people,” and “certain of their valuable contributions to a more empathetic, prosperous and cohesive society, committed to building the common good.”
“Today I mark the International Youth Day convinced of the importance of all those who are already building our present and are also the guarantee of our tomorrow,” he stated.
August 12 was declared International Youth Day in 1999, following a recommendation resulting from the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth, which took place in Portugal in 1998.
