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World leaders are being asked to safeguard the rights of young people and invest in their future on World Population Day. Observed annually on 11 July, the Day seeks to raise awareness of global population issues. A young person's potential can be fulfilled, says the UN Population Fund or UNFPA, if he or she can access quality education, decent work, health services and participate in political life. Today's 1.8 billion youth are shaping social and economic realities, challenging norms and building the foundation for the world's future, the agency notes. But too many of them continue to struggle with poverty, inequality and human rights violations that leave them disempowered. Earlier this year, more than a thousand youth organizations endorsed a Global Youth Call which recommends youth-focused goals and targets in the post-2015 development agenda.