Contact Details Name : Refilwe Mphane Company : National Youth Development Agency Phone :011 651 7175 Email : rmphane@nyda.gov.za URL : www.nyda.gov.za On 12 August 2010 the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) will commemorate International Youth Day with the rest of the international community by hosting a round table discussion where representatives from youth structures, non-governmental organisations, students, student formations and the public and private sector will review how far South Africa is in fast tracking youth development. High quality education, job creation, initiating skills development programmes and getting young people to volunteer their services for the benefit of their communities are some of the targets that have been outlined in the African Youth Charter, National Youth Policy and World Youth Programme. “We will take stock of the progress we have made thus far and assess ways we can fast track our plans,” says Andile Lungisa, the NYDA Chairperson.

As the largest population group, South African young people should be playing a leading role in contributing towards the South African economy however a significant number of young women and men are unemployed and have not been able to develop their full potential. “We will be rallying the support of various stakeholders such as the public and private sector and civil society because collectively we can make a substantial dent in addressing the challenges faced by young people,” says Andile Lungisa, the NYDA Chairperson.

Some of the speakers at the discussion include; Professor Vusi Gumede, an Associate Professor of Development Studies at the University of Johannesburg and Dr Sharlene Swartz from the Human Sciences Research Council. Endorsed by the United Nations, International Youth Day is observed on 12 August each year and aims to promote ways to actively engage young people in making positive contributions to their communities.

For media enquiries please contact:

Refilwe Mphane National Youth Development Agency Communications rmphane@nyda.gov.za 011 651 7175 084 308 5860