2018 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY: THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFE SPACES FOR YOUTH. By Benjamin Ngutsav The theme for this year's youth international day is 'Safe Space for Youth.' This theme is borne out of the fact that there are relatively no safe spaces for youths to galvanize their participation towards nation building. These spaces advocated by the United Nations to be safe include, civic spaces, public spaces, digital spaces, physical spaces. Civic spaces enable youth to engage in governance issues; public spaces afford youth the opportunity to participate in sports and other leisure activities in the community. Also, digital spaces help youth interact virtually across borders with everyone; and well planned physical spaces can help accommodate the needs of diverse youth especially those vulnerable to marginalization or violence. One of the essences for a safe space for the youth is inclusiveness where youth from di...