Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Peter Matambanadzo Recently in Victoria Falls
18 August 2006
Harare — SOUTHERN African governments should establish and strengthen national youth organisations to enhance youths' participation and contribution in the socio-economic development of the region, delegates who attended last week's Southern African Youths Festival have said.
In a communiqué at the end of the festival, heads of youth co-ordinating bodies from 11 Sadc countries called for integration and co-operation among youths in the region.
"We the participants at the Southern Africa Youth Festival, representing national youth co-ordinating bodies from 11 nations of the Southern African Development Community and guided by the deliberations, presentations and discussions that have taken place during the festival, urge governments in Southern Africa to establish and strengthen national youth co-ordinating bodies, and ensure that these bodies are properly legislated and governed by acts of parliament," the communiqué said.
The delegates implored governments and the civic society to assist in the funding of youth organisations to ensure that youths can effectively and efficiently address some of the socio-economic challenges faced by the region.
Sadc governments were also challenged to include young people in their delegations to inter-governmental meetings as this would enable youths to be involved in international relations and foster greater integration and co-operation.
The delegates also noted the prevalence of poverty, unemployment and HIV and Aids in the region and urged Governments to come up with a consolidated approach towards addressing the problems.
On youths and economic empowerment, the delegates agreed that there was need for young people to be active participants in the economic development of the region.
"Youth economic empowerment is an essential forerunner to full and effective youth economic participation. We call for subsidies and concessions to be provided to youth enterprises particularly in the fields of agriculture, fishing and tourism," the communiqué said.
It also emphasised the need for training in life skills which result in capacity building and empowerment of youths.
The delegates stressed the need for scientific and technological revolution to enhance the efficiency of industry and commerce in Sadc, which will go a long way in the eradication of poverty.
The delegates also welcomed the hosting of the World Cup 2010 by South Africa and urged youths to grasp the economic opportunities during the event.
The four-day inaugural Southern African Youth Festival ended on Monday. Participants were drawn from Angola, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The major aim of the festival, which coincided with commemorations to mark the International Youth Day, was to open dialogue on how the youths can play a pivotal role in national development matters, HIV and Aids, unemployment and poverty alleviation.
The festival was also attended by the Namibian Deputy Minister of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture, Mr Shifeta Pohamba, Deputy Minister of Youth Development and Employment Creation Cde Saviour Kasukuwere, Deputy Minister of Information and Publicity, Cde Bright Matonga, Science and Technology Development Deputy Minister Cde Patrick Zhuwawo, Kadoma-Sanyati-Ngezi Senator Cde Ratidzo Gava, the chairman of the Zimbabwe Youth Council Advocate Farai Mutamangira and representatives from the Zanu-PF Youth League.
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