Today 50 young people from across the Western Cape will begin an e-Literacy and Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) training programme hosted by the Presidential National Commission on Information Society and Development. Specifically unemployed young people from previously disadvantaged communities were nominated by the Youth Commission, who was responsible for drafting the delegation from the province.

The delegation includes youth with disability and young people from both the metro and rural areas were nominated for the programme.

The participants will represent the Province and aim to not only perform well during the training programme, but also to establish a youth ICT-discussion forum to assist each other in furthering their skills in the sector. On their return, the group will provide support in ICT in National Youth Service and other WCYC-programmes.

As part of the launch of the programme, the Commission today also activated its new website (http://www.wcyc.org.za; http://www.thewcyc.org) which provides particular opportunity to young people to comment on youth development public policy, to register complaints on youth development issues in local areas and to register for volunteer programmes. The site also includes information on transport, health and other services that is critical to assist young people in their daily lives, as well as a number of web links to sites to find relevant information on various issues such as human rights. The launch took place at Silverstream High School in Manenberg.

With the website the Commission extends its commitment to strengthen the voice of young people in public policy matters by facilitating an integrated voice in commenting on new and existing policy. The website will serve as a platform for young people to SPEAK OUT! Sê JOU Sê! THETHA PANDLE!

With the launch of the e-Learning programme as well as the website, the Commission wishes to focus attention of young people on the critical need of skills in this particular sector in an information society, of the particular potential of the ICT-sector to provide a future for youth, as well as the role of ICT in extending the consciousness of responsible citizenry we require of our generation.

Enquiries:
Vincent Domingo
Chairperson
083 274 9560

Rudi Buys
Commissioner
082 448 5984

Issued by:
Rudi Buys
Commissioner
Western Cape Youth Commission