Whole new world for Charmell
2005-07-28
A YOUNG Paarlite, Charmell Viljoen of Koinonia Youth Centre, recently travelled to Belgium on behalf of the national youth commission.
“It was an opportunity for me to see Europe, but also to form part of an initiative that serves a worthy cause.
“It was not a holiday to do sightseeing, but an opportunity to gather knowledge, information and experiences to inform decisions and opportunities in South Africa.
“The relationship between the Flemish and South African government has been in existence for nine years.
“Delegates in the field of youth work are invited to Belgium to experience the Belgian approach to youth development, their policy, their culture and their manner of ensuring an active and mobilised
youth.”
The Flemish youth policy focuses on leisure activities for the youth up to age 25.
Services are provided which are accessible to ensure that the youth grow and develop, to ensure that they are protected and can gather the information that they need.
“I was placed with my fellow South African, Nkosinathi Mncwa- be from the Sisonke Municipality, at an organisation called VZW Jong in Ghent, Belgium.
“Their main goal is to ensure cultural diversity and equal opportunities for the young people of the city of Ghent.
“Belgium does not have a lot of green spaces, such as parks, where children can play, but they have youth clubs where children can watch television and socialise.
“The Jong organisation is the umbrella organisation for all the different youth organisations within Ghent and is funded by the government.
“Each organisation can also apply for funds from the National Fund for special projects, either initiated by young people in the community or by themselves.
“I have observed that the youth clubs that were initiated by government because of a lack of space, led to a culture of volunteerism.
“This surprised me because from a very young age they learn to take responsibility not only for themselves, but also for the younger ones within their neighborhoods.
“Their activities at the youth clubs involve active participation in different cultural programmes for example Turkish dancing. They also learn other skills such as money management and responsibility.
“Each youth club has a case manager that assists young people with problems that they may have, whether it is personal or something that concerns their school work.
“Because the Belgian youth policy starts from birth, the city of Ghent initiated a concept called “speel-o-theek”.
It is a toy library where mothers with children can borrow toys for three weeks.
“These toys are colour coded and each code fulfills a certain function to develop the child’s movement or reading skills.
“This was very impressive to see, because they do have nursery schools, but this was something extra to ensure effective development of children from a very young age.”
The Flemish government has a Youth Minister that specialises in all fields of youth development and only youth development.
Charmell thinks a separate structure or building should be developed as a local government youth information point.
“If this is not possible, the municipality needs to create a permanent partnership with youth organisations that can also provide the youth services on behalf of local government.
“I note with appreciation that our local governments are moving into a direction of local youth units, which I hope will ensure a voice for the youth.
“I will never forget Belgium: the people the places and, Oh yes, the pubs - can you believe it, they still smoke in public places!
“Knowledge places an obligation on you.”
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