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The South African Youth Council (SAYC) will host a National Youth Summit on the Green Economy at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 23 to 25 June 2013. The summit aims tofacilitate engagements among different stakeholders on various green economy initiatives towards sustainable livelihoods. The summit will be held under the theme; “Youth participation in creating sustainable livelihoods and a better environment through optimising on the opportunities presented by greening the economy and utilisation of alternative energy sources”.

The summit will attract stakeholders from diverse backgrounds including national, provincial and local government representatives, business, State Owned Companies, academics, students doingrelevant studies in  institutions of higher learning as well as youth who have demonstrated a keen interests in the field of green economy.

The summit will be addressed by Deputy President Kgalema  Motlanthe, Ministers of Energy, Housing, Water & Environmental Affairs as well as Economic Development. State Owned Companies (SOCs) such as Transnet & Eskom willparticipate through their executives who will be attending and presenting as panelists.

During the summit there will be exhibition sessions where organisations will be showcasing some inventions and products towards a greener society.

“Our drive to organise this summit is premised on our strong conviction that greening the economy provides society with opportunities not only of sustainable livelihood but also lead to a more equitable society. This is because in pursuit of a green economic discourse, this trajectory utilises natural capital and also optimally exploits the benefits of the ecosystem to benefit the economy,” says SAYC President Thulani Tshefuta.

As young people it is therefore our firm belief that:

• This discourse requires that we take centre stage in ensuring a sustainable livelihood for the future,
• Industrial strategies that are intended to grow economies into the future must inherently be premised on green economy fundamentals.
• Greening the Economy presents opportunities for global competitiveness through amongst other things, increased participation in the economy and optimum utilisation of our natural resources.
• Positioning young people at the centre of all green economy initiatives and investing in their capacity to position the country at a better competitive advantage relative to the others.
• Initiatives that are aimed at revolutionising how we interact with our natural world cannot be postponed, these initiatives include amongst others;

o  Conservation of our natural environment,

o  Emphasis on recycling rather than high carbon emitting manufacturing processes,

o  Investment in education and training that empowers and prepares society to engage withthis revolution (green),

o  Continuous research that is led and funded by government inclusive of all social partners.