Youth Development Month 2009: "Working together we can do more"

Youth Development Month 2009: "Working together we can do more"

Friday, 12 June 2009 14:47

South Africa commemorates Youth Day today, marking the 33rd anniversary of the Soweto Uprising in 1976.

To commemorate this occasion the South African government will be launching the National Youth Development Agency, on 16 June 2009 in Ekurhuleni.

This development agency is formed through the merger of the Umsobomvu Youth Fund and the National Youth Commission. The goal behind the merging of these institutions is to enhance service and development opportunities provided to the youth.

H ere are some things to remember on Youth Day:

Youth are central to strengthening our hard-earned democracy, building a united and better country for all

• We commemorate Youth Day with vivid memories of the struggles and sacrifices of young people for freedom and democracy on 16 June 1976.
• The youth of our country remain central in the building of a democracy that must work together to ensure a better South Africa and a better world.
• Youth today are found in professional areas - they are entrepreneurs with some as role models in government, business and industry. Our democracy has benefited the young people and more can be done.
• This being Youth Month, the youth should join government in the fight against crime in an effort to reclaim our peace, security and comfort.

We need to protect and defend the rights of young people and empower them to understand their responsibilities

• While all citizens of South Africa, irrespective of age, enjoy human rights enshrined in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, youth have to express a responsible character, promote their rights and defend our democracy.
• The development of youth in our country is driven through, among other things, the Constitution, NYP, African Youth Charter, World Programme of Action on Youth and the National Youth Development Agency Act, 2008 (Act 54 of 2008), which are led by government at all three spheres, and supported by non-governmental organisations and the private sector.
• Young people should play a lead role in various partnerships to work with government and the communities in rebuilding families and ensuring a safer and caring environment for all, including young people. They have to play a meaningful role in the reconstruction and development agenda.
• Faced with various challenges, the young people of this country should be partners in the efforts to eliminate poverty; to ensure that communities have healthy environments and food security; and that HIV and AIDS prevalence is reduced and those who are inflected are supported better.

The launch of the NYDA on 16 June 2009 is a victory for youth development

• The NYDA will link up unemployed young graduates with economic opportunities and strengthen efforts to expand the National Youth Service Programme and support young entrepreneurs.
• The NYDA will expand opportunities for skills development targeting the youth, ensuring better access to decent work opportunities.
• Working together, the efforts of young people will be directed at poverty alleviation, rural development and crime prevention. Plans are underway to recruit and deploy thousands of unemployed youths in the fight against crime in communities.
• We are working with all stakeholders to ensure that the 2010 FIFA World CupTM contributes to create decent work opportunities for the youth, leaving a proud legacy for our children and our communities.

"WORKING TOGETHER THE YOUTH OF THE COUNTRY CAN DO MORE"