Introduction
In 2004 South Africa celebrated ten years of democracy, and in these ten years many young people have overcome obstacles and challenges to become the rising stars and leaders in the fields of sports, culture, arts and the academic and economic sectors. Young people in South Africa, however, still face a wide range of challenges including HIV and AIDS, poverty and unemployment. Working with relevant government structures such as the National Youth Commission, UNICEF supports the development of a Youth Policy on a local government level that will promote young people’s participation in local governance and position them as leaders and agents of change in their communities. There are young people who are actively engaged in making their communities better places to live in. Often with little support and encouragement, they are finding creative ways to improve the lives of their fellow community members in concrete ways. The UNICEF Youth Programme aims to build on the view that young people are already active in their communities and that they represent a vital technical resource that is and can strengthen programmes to reduce HIV infections and stop gender-based violence. The challenge lies in developing constructive partnerships with young people that respect, recognise and incorporate the skills they bring. The strategy, therefore, involves not only strengthening young people’s capacity to participate, but also building the skills in adults to work with young people effectively so that adults are motivated and able to consult, listen, respond and partner with young people in charting the road to development.
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