Parow Youth Summit

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead
By Miranda Bambata
Youth development, empowerment and leadership and how local government is contributing towards developing its Youth to become future leaders. Including local stakeholders like business, churches and the importance of investing in the Youth.
Youth development is a process that prepares a young person to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood and achieve his or her full potential. Youth development is promoted through activities and experiences that help Youth develop social, ethical, emotional, physical, and cognitive competencies. Youth leadership is part of the Youth development process and supports the young person in developing: (a) the ability to analyse his or her own strengths and weaknesses, set personal and vocational goals, and have the self-esteem, confidence, motivation, and abilities to carry them out (including the ability to establish support networks in order to fully participate in community life and effect positive social change); and (b) the ability to guide or direct others on a course of action, influence the opinions and behaviours of others, and serve as a role model (Wehmeyer, Agran, & Hughes, 1998).
Conditions that promote healthy Youth development are supported through programs and activities in schools and communities. Youth development researchers and practitioners emphasize that effective programs and interventions recognize Youths’ strengths and seek to promote positive development rather than addressing risks in isolation. Youth who are constructively involved in learning and doing and who are connected to positive adults and peers are less likely to engage in risky or self-defeating behaviours.
Providing the conditions for positive Youth development is a responsibility shared by families, schools, and communities. The conditions for healthy Youth development reside in families, schools, and communities.
Well-designed and well-run Youth development programs promote Youth leadership by involving Youth in needs assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation. A growing number of organizations include Youth on their boards of directors. Effective programs engage all participating Youth in constructive action through activities such as service learning, arts, and athletics; and emphasize common values such as friendship, citizenship, and learning.
“If you ever think you’re too small to be effective, you’ve never been in bed with a mosquito!” — Wendy Lesko
What is a Summit /Hackathon?
The term is used to describe a group of people coming together with a common purpose, to meet and engage in a collaborative way by unpacking and exploring ways of understanding various issues and challenges associated with that
16 June is a public holiday in South Africa. It commemorates the Soweto Riots of 1976 that began after the government declared all instruction in black schools would be in Afrikaans.
Hector Peterson, a black school child, was shot by the police during a peaceful protest march. The image of the dead child was seen across the world and showed the brutality of the Apartheid regime. In the weeks that followed more than 700 people – mostly youth – were killed.
Youth Day reminds South Africans of the importance of its youth, and hopefully reminds us that the country never wants to see those days again.
In celebrating Youth month, having a Youth summit will serve the purpose to engage with the Youth of Parow to identify issues that most affect them with the end goal to make awareness, provide an empowerment platform and present opportunities for employment, leadership and development.
Problems identified
- Drug abuse
- Prostitution
- Unemployment
- High crime rate
Objectives
- Harvest Information
- Mobilising like-minded people to participate in the discussion
- To inform the Youth on different stakeholders and their roles in the community and How to make local government work
- Find possible solutions to be implemented
- Give platform for young people to express their views
General Theme
Topic Sector – Youth Develop, empowerment and leadership.
Panel discussion of 3-4 speakers representing different community stakeholders
- Municipality (councillor)
- Social Entrepreneurs (NGO, NPO)
- Local Businesses
- Gov Departments (Dep. Health or SAPS)
- Media Entities
Responses