The youth population of the major areas of the world, Africa, Asia and Latin America, will almost double in the final quarter of this century (1975- 2000), and it is expected that this increase will have an adverse effect on economical development and social progress which in turn will aggravate the problems faced by the youth of the world such as unemployment and lack of opportunities for education and training. 

Therefore, the United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution No. 34/151, dated 17 December 1985, decided to name the year 1985 THE INTER- NATIONAL YOUTH YEAR with the motto "Participation, Development, Peace". 

The intention is to give a wide-spread awareness of the situation of young people, their problems and aspirations so that they can be given a part in the development process.