International Youth Day 2020: Keeping our Young People in mind
International Youth Day 2020: Keeping our Young People in mind
They say that “children are our future” and while that may just be a cheesy song lyric, it most certainly is the case! The young people of today will go on to be the decision makers of tomorrow, which is why it’s essential we make the right decisions for them today. International Youth Day is a day for us to think about just that…
The official UN website describes International Youth Day as:
“International Youth Day gives an opportunity to celebrate and mainstream young peoples’ voices, actions and initiatives, as well as their meaningful, universal and equitable engagement.”
So not only is International Youth Day a chance for us to explore better ways to look out for our young people, but also how they too can have an input in their own futures.
At The Running Bee Foundation our main goal has always been to help eliminate childhood obesity – a problem that is seriously affecting the youth of today and threatens to leak into adulthood if something is not done. That’s why events like our upcoming Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity 10K are so important – we’re encouraging people to stay active and get healthy, but are also raising money for a fantastic cause that will undoubtedly change the lives of countless young people, and already has done just that.
But the solution to childhood obesity can’t simply be to “force” children to live or eat a certain way; It needs to be a two way street, where young people are engaged and excited by the idea of healthy living and getting active.
One such example that always springs to mind for us is that of Imogen and Elliot…
Two young people from the Tameside area, the brother and sister duo soon became tiresome of the lack of exercise activities and events they could participate in due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And who can blame them? The whole world went on standby for everyone, but kids might have experienced the biggest shock to the system.
That’s why, when they heard about The Running Bee Foundation’s MyFirst Mile initiative, along with mum Ceri they were ecstatic! Finally, Imogen and Elliot had a set goal to strive towards during lockdown and an incentive for them to not only take part, but to go above and beyond the required exercise parameters. Why? Because they loved it!
And by allowing us here at The Running Bee to document their activity and their journey, not only are Imogen and Elliot becoming fitness guru celebrities in the making, but they’re also doing their part in spreading the word, the positivity and the desire in young people to #BeeActiveBeeHealthyBeeHappy!
In doing so, they’re doing their part for International Youth Day too.
So, this International Youth Day, take a moment to consider the young people in your life – their dreams, their goals, their opportunities, and do everything that you can to be sure that they’re heading down a path that will lead to an active, healthy, happy and fruitful future.