World Wildlife Day 2017: Listening to the young voices

3 March marks World Wildlife Day, an event that has been celebrated annually, around the world since 2014. It follows the adoption of a resolution at the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly on 20 December 2013. The date was chosen to coincide with the adoption of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) in 1973.

World Wildlife Day is an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that conservation provides to people. At the same time, the Day reminds us of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime, which has wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts. – United Nations

This year's event is being organised around the theme of Listen to the young voices, the aim of this being to engage and empower the youth as future guardians and custodians of wildlife in all of its forms.

WWD2017 gives us a new opportunity to provide incentives to the youth to tackle conservation issues. It is also an opportunity for them to engage with one another and together forge an inspired path to a better world. – United Nations

In keeping with the spirit of World Wildlife Day and its theme for 2017, the CITES Secretariat has launched a photo competition for youth around the world entitled, Through young eyes. The competition encourages young people from around the world (ages 10-24), of all photography backgrounds to submit original photos that "either display beautiful and striking wildlife or that depict youth engaging in conservation efforts."

Further information about this and other events associated with World Wildlife Day is available from the official website.