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Spotlight on SA youth's future challenges

Johannesburg - With 50% of young South Africans between 15 to 24 unemployed, Youth Day not only represents South Africa’s achievements of the past, but also places the spotlight on the challenges of the future says global human rights and advocacy organisation World Vision South Africa.

Statistics like the above by the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Risk Report 2014 also places the country third when it comes to the highest employment rate in the world for youths.

"The 16th of June highlights that South Africa needs to not only celebrate and remember the achievements and struggles of the past but also use it to pave a way for the future that highlights the plight of the unemployed youth," said Paula Barnard, national director of World Vision South Africa

"As an organisation we deal with the causes and results of unemployment on a daily basis and therefore challenge government, business and NGOs to offer practical and feasible solutions to the youth of the country. Surely June 16 should celebrate the future and current examples of change and advancements."

The WEF’s Global Risk Report 2014 in particular highlights the role of education.

""It’s vital we sit down with young people now and begin planning solutions aimed at creating fit-for-purpose educational systems, functional job-markets, efficient skills exchanges and the sustainable future we all depend on," states the report.

"Apart from access to education, South Africa needs to move beyond its talk shop mentality and implement a system and environment that fosters sustainability, entrepreneurship and cements a generation that contributes proactively to the economy of our country," said Barnard.

"The reality is unemployment leads to social decay, crime and a country riddled by instability which ultimately impacts future generations of children trying to carve a full life for themselves in the world."

With education in mind, World Vision SA’s Area Development Programmes (ADP) across the country have used Youth Day to highlight its importance through practical and sustainable interventions in various parts of SA.

World Vision SA is currently active in 20 in-community projects and programmes, in six provinces throughout South Africa, impacting and serving over 87 000 children directly through child sponsorship, and indirectly impacting a further 15 million children, and over 1 million households through advocacy and in-community programming efforts which includes access to education.

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