The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) will from 12 – 13 May 2022 host the 1st Annual Integrated Youth Development Strategy (IYDS) Summit in Johannesburg. Close to 250 young people representing civil society structures, political youth formations, government and the business, will gather at the Ekurhuleni Radisson Hotel & Convention Centre for this year’s Summit to discuss and reflect on the implementation of youth development in the country as guided by the Integrated Youth Development Strategy (IYDS).

Post the consultations and approval of the National Youth Policy 2030, the NYDA had committed that to drive accountability for the implementation of integrated youth development, it would provide an annual update of the progress that was being made in the implementation of the Integrated Youth Development Strategy.

It aims to knit together critical areas that are key in creating an enabling environment for effective and efficient monitoring and evaluation of the Strategy and stakeholders’ efforts.

The development and implementation of the IYDS is a legislated mandate as per the NYDA Act 54 of 2008 and aims to enforce government and private sector policies and programs to prioritise the development of young people, with clear monitoring and evaluation tools against which these sectors will account on the impact of their policies on the lives of young people.

The Summit takes place within the background of increasing numbers of youth unemployment, further compounded by the recent devastation of the Covid-19 pandemic. It therefore presents an opportune moment for various sectors of society to asset their commitments recovery efforts in improving the lives of young people.

A number of youth development exhibitors will also be present to offer networks and opportunities to young people. The Summit will be held under the theme, “Tracking youth development interventions in South Africa”. Members of the media are welcome to cover the Summit.

Source: Government of South Africa