Issued by: GCIS
Youth Commission Publishes Guide to Government Youth Programmes
There is a distinct unevenness between Government departments with regard to the delivery of services to young people. This is the key conclusion of the National Youth Commission following an extensive study of the work of government departments and statutory bodies in relation to youth. The findings have been published in the NYC's newly released Guide to Government Youth Development Services 1999-2000.
Speaking at the publication's launch function in Pretoria, NYC Chairperson Hlengiwe Bhengu said while the NYC had been encouraged by the proactivity of some government departments in ensuring the availability of relevant programmes and services for young people, the disappointing fact was that many other departments were defaulting in key areas of youth needs. "While the NYC is appreciative of the co-operation and active participation of the 38 government departments and statutory bodies in the preparation of this Guide, what has been made clear in the Guide is that there is much more work to do to ensure more effective government response to the challenges facing young people in South Africa," said Bhengu. She added that based on the Guide, the NYC was in the process of preparing recommendation to President Mbeki in terms of the National Youth Commission Act which requires the NYC to ensure that the interests of young people are prioritised within government planning and programme delivery. "The time of Departments simply proceeding with unilaterally determined programmes of questionable relevance to youth is over," said Bhengu. "The National Youth Policy identifies priority areas for each and every sector of government in relation to youth and departmental alignment which will become a necessity over the course of next year."
While the full presidential submission would detail specific cases of challenge, preliminary areas of general concern already identified by the Youth Commission are:
"The complete absence of youth-related programmes mandated by the Summit to some Departments forces us to conclude that progress here has been negligible to say the least."
At the same time, the NYC has named five government departments it regards as models for the efficient, effective delivery of services and programmes to young people. These are:
"What these departments have in common is to demonstrate investment in the development of young people and the delivery of programmes that are important, relevant and have made a difference to the lives of thousands of our young people," said Bhengu. "Moreover the budgets allocated appropriately match the stated intentions of the programmes concerned."
The Guide details the youth programmes, budgets and responsibility managers for 33 government departments and 5 other public organisations. The NYC hopes it will be used as a resource by youth organisations, funders and the public in general for constructive interaction with government regarding the needs of youth.
Further information call: Paul Johnson Cell: 082-770-0034
11 November 1999