UNFPA leads the UN in South Africa at the launch of the National Youth Policy (NYP)

In March this year, the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities partnered with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the National Youth Development Agency to launch the National Youth Policy 2030, under the theme: “A decade of accelerating positive youth development outcomes”. 

The virtual public launch of the youth policy – through live streaming and social media and held in compliance with the Covid-19 protocols – marked a huge milestone in addressing youth development concerns in South Africa. The aim of the launch was to popularize the policy so it can be implemented by young people. Attendees included officials from the youth units and youth from across South Africa as well as the whole African continent. Representatives from the African Union, the Southern African Development Community and the Commonwealth and youth experts gave messages of support. 

The policy calls for holistic youth development in the country along the following thematic areas (the Fourth Industrial Revolution cuts cross all the areas)

a) Quality Education, Skills and Second Chances

b) Economic Participation, Entrepreneurship and Job Creation

c) Physical and Mental Health Promotion including combatting pandemics

d) Nation-Building and Social Cohesion 

e) Effective and Responsive Youth Development Institutions.

Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane from the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities said the National Youth Policy was an official document that will guide government and civil society in mainstreaming youth development. She called for increased youth participation in implementing Agenda 2030.

UNFPA Representative Beatrice Mutali shared a message of support on behalf of UN in South Africa, during which she called for more investments in empowering young people and prioritizing education to steer national economic growth. The fund provided technical support to the development of the policy, which ensures that all youth in their diversities are empowered to participate in decisions that affect them, in line with the Leave No One Behindprinciple. Read National Youth Policy here: http://ow.ly/hnhA50DR2ebvv