Vice-Chancellor and the Principal of the University of South Africa, Professor Makhanya,
Excellencies and Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Regional Director of the Commonwealth Centre for Africa,
CEO of the National Youth Development Agency,
Academics from different Institutions,
Youth Workers from across various sectors,
Students,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen.
Last week on 1 November 2012, we celebrated the 7th Africa Youth day since the decision was taken by the African Union Heads of State in Banjul in 2006. The celebration took place under this year’s theme of “Africa must deliver as one to empower African youth for sustainable development.”
Today, on the 8th of November 2012, is the fourth day of the Youth Week. The Youth Week is being celebrated for the first time across the Commonwealth. This years’ theme is “Connecting cultures.”
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
These events symbolise the significance and support for youth development by both the African Union and the Commonwealth. By celebrating these events today, South Africa in collaboration with all member states present here today also join hands with both the African Union and the Commonwealth in intensifying development of young people.
Of significance to this gathering is the fact that as we accelerate the development of young people, there is need to equally appreciate the efforts of all Youth Workers - women or men, young or old, because they are frontline providers of services to the youth. I salute the contributions you have all made and continue to make to this important sector of our society. In Wendy Lesko’s words “If you ever think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito!”
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Join me in applauding every effort – big or small by Youth workers, because investment in youth has become a necessity. This is more so as youth around the globe continue to experience challenges that threaten the development efforts. Such challenges include, but are not limited to high unemployment, crime, substance abuse, obesity, suicide, HIV and AIDS.
It becomes even critical to invest in youth with the demographic pattern showing that young people between the ages of 15-35 are an increasing population group compared to children and adults. In South Africa, the last 2011 census revealed that young people between the ages of 15 and 35 constitute more than 40% of the population.
Unlike in the world’s developed countries such as the United States and Europe where the population is aging, in less developed countries, particularly in the African continent, the reverse is true, because the age population structure is relatively young. For an example in Malawi, approximately 49% of the population is under the age of 15.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
We should remember that young people hold the key to society's future. Their ambitions, goals and aspirations for peace, security, development and human rights are often in accordance with those of society as a whole. Therefore, nations can only prosper if there are dedicated efforts to invest in youth.
However, despite the commitment by governments to address the ever-increasing challenges of young people, there is a need to explore an effective service delivery channel. The Youth Workers can close that gap of ensuring that services to the youth are prioritised. The upcoming “Conference on Education and Training of Youth Workers” which is planned to take place in South Africa from the 18th to the 20th of March 2013 has been approved by Cabinet last week.
By having this conference, we will be strengthening the capacity to deliver effective youth development services through recognising Youth Work as a profession. If we have capable Youth Workers, we will end up with young people who are guided properly, policy makers who are well informed, and overall youth friendly and youth responsive services.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Going back to the theme of today’s launch of “reflecting on the journey towards professionalisation”, it is worth noting that even though Youth Work practice appear to be new, it is not a new phenomenon.
Research illustrates that this practice dates as far back as the nineteenth century. It came as a result of an increase rate of youth population as compared to other population groups and the complexity of the various challenges facing young people such as unemployment, poverty, street youth and many other challenges.
Like now, at the time, Youth Work was practiced mostly in churches and local communities where programmes and projects were implemented to meet the needs of young people. Through this practice, young people acquired the cognitive, social and emotional skills and abilities required to navigate through life’s journey.
As we are currently experiencing demographic dividend, it becomes important that we also revisit what worked previously. Youth Work practice previously managed to put young people in the centre of development. It is relevant that today we are speaking again of using Youth Workers as vehicles through which services to the youth can be delivered, thus enabling us to focus on the youth.
We also call upon development partners to support development initiatives by Youth Workers like they did in the past. I wish to acknowledge the commitment by the United Nations Population Fund Agency of contributing as a sponsor for the upcoming conference. I also wish to encourage all participants gathered here to also come on board and support this worthy cause.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
In South Africa, the journey towards professionalising Youth Work has been long. This is despite prioritisation of Education and Training of youth workers by the Commonwealth Youth Programme within its Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment as well as efforts on our part of introducing qualifications in Youth Work.
The collaboration between us and the Commonwealth Youth Programme of having the conference is an attempt to find a solution of having youth work recognised, because like Hahn Raley, I also believe that “ Youth work is worthy to be recognised as a profession.”
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
The upcoming conference will provide a platform for all practitioners, researchers, policy makers, government, academics and students to have a debate on the importance of professionalising youth work. The conference participants will also be able to share experiences, ideas, approaches, and strategies that can be utilised to accomplish the recognition of Youth work as a profession globally.
Ignoring the plight of young workers will have dire consequences for decades, because as frontline workers, they have influence on the direction which young people take and the youth in turn also have influence on the direction which society takes.
I am inspired by the initiative taken by The Presidency, the Commonwealth Centre for Africa, the University of South Africa and the National Youth Development Agency of bring together the international community in order to find solutions of addressing the plight of Youth Workers.
Your Excellencies and members of the diplomatic corps
As we approach the conference, I would like to appeal to you to inform relevant structures responsible for youth affairs and youth development in your countries about the significance of participating in the upcoming conference. If we can all participate we will be in a position to plan together and have common strategies of strengthening Youth Work practice.
Let us deliver as one!
I thank you!
