23 November 2007
Today 50 young people from across the Western Cape will begin an e-Literacy
and information and communication technology (ICT) training programme hosted by
the Presidential National Commission on Information Society and Development.
Specifically unemployed young people from previously disadvantaged communities
were nominated by the Youth Commission, who was responsible for drafting the
delegation from the province.
The delegation includes youth with disability and young people from both the
metro and rural areas were nominated for the programme. The participants will
represent the province and aim to not only performs well during the training
programme, but also to establish a youth ICT-discussion forum to assist each
other in furthering their skills in the sector. On their return, the group will
provide support in ICT in National Youth Service and other Western Cape Youth
Commission (WCYC)-programmes.
As part of the launch of the programme, the Commission today also activated
its new website (http://www.wcyc.org.za,
http://www.thewcyc.org) which provides
particular opportunity to young people to comment on youth development public
policy, to register complaints on youth development issues in local areas and
to register for volunteer programmes. The site also includes information on
transport, health and other services that is critical to assist young people in
their daily lives, as well as a number of web links to sites to find relevant
information on various issues such as human rights. The launch took place at
Silverstream High School in Manenberg.
With the website the Commission extends its commitment to strengthen the
voice of young people in public policy matters by facilitating an integrated
voice in commenting on new and existing policy. The website will serve as a
platform for young people to speak out! Sê jou sê! Thetha pandle! With the
launch of the e-Learning programme as well as the website, the Commission
wishes to focus attention of young people on the critical need of skills in
this particular sector in an information society, of the particular potential
of the ICT-sector to provide a future for youth, as well as the role of ICT in
extending the consciousness of responsible citizenry we require of our
generation.
Enquiries:
Vincent Domingo
Chairperson
Cell: 083 274 9560
Rudi Buys
Commissioner
Tel: 021 466 9700
Cell: 082 448 5984
Fax: 021 418 2702
Issued by: Western Cape Youth Commission
23 November 2007
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government (http://www.capegateway.gov.za)
