Up Beat Issue Number 6 1994

In April, the Institute for Multi-party Democracy organised a debate. Young people from the Democratic Party Youth, the ANC Youth League, the IFP Youth and Aisec discussed howto protect youth rights. Neville Naidoo of the ANCYL argued strongly for a youth ministry. He said that, in the past, each government department received money for youth development. The youth had no control how this money was spent because it was spread over so many different departments. Neville said that all money for youth development should go to one Youth Ministry. The Youth Ministry would then make sure that the money was spent where it vtas needed most. The DP youth said that a ministry would cost too much money. They argued for an independent national youth council made up of youth organisations. They said the council must protect youth rights and see to youth development. No agreement was reached but everyone enjoyed themselves. There was lots of laughter and shouting. Hopefully, we will be able to debate many issues in the same, friendly atmosphere