The Deputy Minister of Water and Environment Affairs, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi, MP, will lead the fourth annual Youth Water Summit that will include learners and educators from South Africa and other African states. The week-long event will take place in Birchwood hotel, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, from 2-6 July 2012. The main event will be on Friday, 6 July 2012 whereby overall winners in different categories of innovative water initiatives by the youth will be announced.
The theme for this year’s Summit is “Meaningful participation of Africa’s youth in water resource management can contribute to sustainable development”. Hence it is called the Africa Youth Water Summit.
During the Summit young people will share ideas and co-operate in fostering common solutions to continental water and climate change issues, go for excursions to get a better understanding of water resource management, participate in public speaking and debates, and participate in different competitions. This historic event will be attended by approximately 570 delegates.
The 2012 Youth Water Summit will have a dedicated session for out of school youth which will be attended by young people from across the African continent. The Summit seeks to reach the following outcomes: Consolidated report of existing youth initiatives/programmes from respective participating countries, draft Africa Youth Strategy on Water and Implementation plan, process plan leading to Youth Strategy adoption across Africa and proposal for Africa Junior Water Prize culminating to Stockholm Junior Water Prize.
The exhibitions by the department and water sector partners will be running throughout the week from 09h00 – 16h00.
Media is invited to attend the Summit as follows:
Date: 2-6 July 2012
Venue: Birchwood hotel, Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng
Time: 09h00 – 16h00 daily
For media enquiries and RSVP:
Peter Mbelengwa – Spokesperson for the Deputy Minister
Cell: 082 611 8197/ 076 350 6386
E-mail: mbelengwap@dwa.gov.za
Themba Khumalo
Cell: 082 802 3432
E-mail: khumalot@dwa.gov.za
Deputy Minister Mabudafhasi to lead the Youth Water Summit
