One of the key priorities of the Department of Social Development is to empower youth people to realise their full potential and understand their roles and responsibilities in making meaningful contributions to the development of a non-racial and prosperous South Africa. The cultivation of the youth sector must be an integral part of both economic and social development.
Sustained growth needs to be achieved through community and youth empowerment, creating an enabling environment that allows all sectors of society access to nationwide prosperity.
As part of achieving this, the department will be engaging in a Provincial Youth Dialogue where youth from across the province will be participating in the dialogue. The composition of the youth invited are youth in conflict with the law , youth from both urban and rural areas , youth with disabilities, all races and both male and female.
Youth dialogues are fundamental as a form and catalyst to social change at national and provincial level. A dialogue is a forum that draws participation from many parts of the community as possible to exchange information face to face, share personal stories and experiences, honestly express perpectives, clarify viewpoints and develop solutions to community concerns. All this is done because we acknowledge that nothing can be done for the youth of our country, without their very direct involvement.
The anticipated outcomes and objectives of the youth dialogues is to
Raise awareness on plight of the youth, especially young women, and building their capacity to be self-reliant and sustainable
Mobilize and bring together youth from different backgrounds and racial background.
Facilitate access of information for the youth, youth debate and dialogue on challenges facing youth.
Gathering first-hand information that would assist government with programme planning within the intergovernmental framework.
Facilitating sharing of experiences, learning, resources, and best practice.
Providing information on what works that can inform policy
The dialogues will be held as forth
Venue: Reakofella Resort
Barkley West
Date: 9-11 November 2012
Time: Starting at 14h00
The media is invited to attend the Provincial Youth Dialogue:
Please confirm your attendance with:
Lucretia Horne
Tel: 053 8314041
E-mail: lhorne@ncpg.gov.za
Conrad Fortune
Cell: 079 873 0679
