Statement of the Commission on Human Rights in celebration of the 2025 International Youth Day

The youth sits at the heart of a living society. Investing in their rights is essential to ensuring that we are able to create the best conditions where they are able to nurture themselves to their full potential.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) stands in solidarity with the global community in highlighting the unique role of youth in shaping a just, inclusive, and sustainable future. As we celebrate the International Youth Day today, 12 August 2025, the Commission puts emphasis on the meaningful participation of youth in their respective communities, recognizing that their voices, ideas, and actions are essential in driving positive and lasting change.

With the theme, “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,” this year’s celebration focuses on creating avenues that amplify their voice in development and policymaking at the local level. Geared towards accelerating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the digital era, it is envisioned that technology and innovation are constantly utilized to transform global targets into tangible and community-driven solutions.

As the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSK) elections approach, ensuring the active participation of the youth in governance and decision-making becomes even more crucial. This democratic exercise provides them the platform not only to cast their vote and be heard, but also to step into leadership roles where their decisions can shape the future of their society.

However, the Commission underscores that this vision cannot be fully realized if the systems meant to uphold the youth’s right to education remain inaccessible, underfunded, or ineffective. Particularly, the Philippines has consistently ranked low in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which measures student performance in mathematics, science, and reading comprehension. Beyond being a mere statistical ranking, these outcomes signal deeper gaps in the country’s education system, which, if left unaddressed, risk limiting the opportunities of the nation’s future workforce in an increasingly knowledge-driven world.

Education is a cornerstone of progress in any society that seeks to empower its people. In this light, we call for sustained reforms that ensure access to quality education, thereby enabling the youth to realize their full potential and contribute to nation-building.

Moreover, the enrichment of their well-being is also highly dependent on their ability to access opportunities beyond education. This includes platforms for employment, healthcare, and access to social reforms, especially for those in underserved and marginalized communities. It is through these means that the dreams of the youth take root: where hope is not merely imagined, but empowered into action where young voices rise to lead change that echoes through every facet of society.

Article II, Section 13 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution affirms that "[t]he State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building." With this in mind, it is envisioned that the Filipino youth is able to stand at the forefront of transformative action and take part in shaping a just and inclusive society.

The Commission affirms its commitment to advancing the rights and well-being of the youth. We call upon the Philippine government to bolster reforms that amplify their voices, safeguard their rights, and strengthen programs that lead to meaningful civic participation. As the country’s independent national human rights institution, CHR is steadfast in its resolve to collaborate with stakeholders towards fostering inclusive spaces where the youth are empowered to lead, thrive, and continue being agents of meaningful progress and sustainable development