The Young Lions youth project, started in 2005, aims to empower young people, particularly unemployed youth from disadvantaged communities and those who are currently engaged in risky behaviour, to bring about meaningful change in their lives. It promotes Human Rights, gender equity and the privileges of living in a democratic society. It also promotes debate and dialogue amongst youth across cultural, racial and class boundaries on Political and Socio-economic issues.

This project aims to develop youth to understand how our democracy works and their role in the process. Youth are encouraged to participate in addressing their expectations, hopes and aspirations to bring about change.

The first phase of the project, which was carried out in 2005, targeted only youth from the Cape Town Metropole area. In 2006, the target group was expanded to include youth from the South Cape, West Coast, Winelands, Overberg and Boland regions of the Western Cape.

Throughout the month of February 2006, SAMGI facilitated two-day workshops in various regions of the Western Cape. These workshops, attended by youth from grassroots organisations and communities, focussed on the South African Constitution and Bill of Rights, whilst creating dialogue among the youth on the issues that affect them in their day-to-day lives.

The project culminated in a Youth Summit held on 08 March 2006 at Boland College in Worcester. The aim of this summit was to engage various government departments to provide responses to the issues raised by the participants at the previous workshops on how their programmes seek to address youth development challenges.

Approximately 230 youth attended the summit and government representatives from the Departments of Social Services and Poverty Alleviation, Education, Community Safety, Sport and Recreation and Health were on-hand to provide responses to the concerns raised.

For more infomation about his project, contact Nicky on 021 4240653.

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