In the context of Youth Development, social cohesion is
referred to as the process through which individuals or groups are included to
participate fully in the society in which they live. Social cohesion allows young
people to participate and engage in activities that build their social capital
and networks and strengthen the relations that bind people together. These
interactions with others strengthen young people’s identity, build their
self-esteem, develop a sense of belonging, close intergenerational gaps and
contribute to building a better life for all.
It is within this backdrop that the Department of Arts and
Culture, through Youth Unit, resolved to engage young people in dialogue to
curve some of the challenges that the National Youth Policy needs to address to
foster social cohesion. Challenges such as social and economic inclusion,
reintegrating youth into their communities and promoting cultural diversity and
respect will shape cornerstone of youth dialogue.
The format of the Youth in Dialogue project will take the
shape of a series of Provincial events that will culminate in a single National
gathering of young people to discuss matters of culture that affect them and
the nation as a whole. This project seeks to encourage young people to take an
active part in creating a socially cohesive nation by engaging dialogue with
their peers. It also provides a platform for bringing forward the point of view
of youth on what elements constitute a South African cultural identity.
The youth in dialogue will be inclusive of young people from
rural and urban areas, advantaged and disadvantaged youth, in and out of school
youth, royal youth, and youth with disabilities. This indicates the scope of
the project in that it will seek to raise consciousness about matters of
barriers to creating a socially cohesive nation and also address the cultural
factors that keep youth apart from one another in our new democracy.
The first youth in dialogue project was piloted in Durban on
August 20, 2013. This municipality will provide an appropriate yardstick to
measure the effectiveness of the extent to which the project can be implemented
provincially and eventually, nationally. The target number of participants was
100 young people, mainly from arts and culture sector, and the speakers ranged
from Business Development in Arts and Culture, Performing Arts, DAC’s Mzanzi
Golden Economy and Motivation Speakers.
More information from Abbey Lekalakala on 012 441 3662 or 071
680 9559 or email: Abram.lekalakala@dac.gov.za
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