environment agenda
2 August 2006
The second Women and Environment Conference ended with women agreeing on a
Programme of Action which will see environmental concerns taken on a high
agenda.
âThe conference agreed to an aggressive Capacity Building programme for
youth and women to include the establishment of a Capacity Building Fund to
create environmental job opportunities targeted on women and youth, as well as
establish a women targeted environment information portal and newsletter,â said
the Director-General of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism,
Pam Yako.
âYouth development, improved information sharing, economic development and
capacity building for women emerged as the focal points of commitment in the
declaration,â further added Yako.
The White River Plan of Action is aimed at ensuring that the outcomes of the
Mogale Declaration and outcomes of the second conference are turned into a
clear environmental action plan to be reported on at the next conference.
The conference brought together participants from all spheres of life,
ranging from local and international senior government officials to leaders
from business and community based organisations.
A review of the inaugural Women and Environment Conference in Mogale City in
2005, noted the drafting of a National Strategy for Sustainable Development
(NSSD) as well as the completion of the first ever State of the Environment
report focusing specifically on our youth. Further achievements include the
first national environmental campaign, Indalo Yethu, aimed at mobilising and
raising environmental awareness. To date two provincial conferences have been
held to localise the decisions taken at Mogale City.
While progress in specific spheres had been made, the Department
acknowledged that challenges such as insufficient access to information for
youth and young women in particular continued to hamper progress. Better
integration and co-operation with other public and private entities is required
to enable improved implementation. The need for support and capacity building
for community based organisations and civil society was also identified.
Discussions around youth development which featured high on the conference
agenda culminated in a commitment towards the piloting of a youth mentorship
programme in the sector. âIt is time that we begin to define and pilot
programmes in support of the National Youth Service Programme (NYSP) segmented
distinctively for the environment sector,â emphasised Yako.
In closing Yako urged all delegates to work together in partnership and
strive towards achieving the conference decisions?
Contact:
Mava Scott
Tel: (012) 310 3379
Cell: 082 411 9821
E-mail: mscott@deat.gov.za
Roopa Singh
Tel: (012) 310 3566
Cell: 082 225 3076
E-mail: rsingh@deat.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
2 August 2006
