The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) urged the government and all Filipinos to invest in today's youth to create the best conditions where they are able to nurture themselves to attain their full potential.

The message was aired by the CHR during the observance today, August 12, of the 2025 International Youth Day with the theme "Local Youth Actions for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Beyond."

It said this year’s theme focuses on the many avenues that the youth can take in participating in the development and policy-making at the local level.

In this digital era, the CHR acknowledges that the youth rely heavily on technology and innovation in coming up with community-driven solutions.

"The CHR stands in solidarity with the global community in highlighting the unique role of youth in shaping a just, inclusive, and sustainable future," it said.

With the coming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSK) elections, the CHR said that the active participation of the youth in governance and decision-making is now 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," it stressed.

It pointed out that the youth’s right to education still remains inaccessible, underfunded, or ineffective.

The Philippines has consistently ranked low in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which measures student performance in mathematics, science, and reading comprehension, it said.

"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," it said.

However, beyond education, the CHR emphasized that the enrichment of the youth's wellbeing is also highly dependent on their ability to access opportunities, including 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," it said.