Pretoria - The 17th World Festival of Youth and Students to be held in December will bring tremendous benefits to the youth of South Africa, says the National Youth Development Agency.
The festival, which is endorsed by President Jacob Zuma, and organised under the auspices of the World Federation for Democratic Youth (WFDY), will bring thousands of progressive youth formations and organisations from across the world-with representatives from around 15 countries expected to attend.
Despite economic benefits from hosting these delegates, South African youth will also reap extensive knowledge about campaigns for universal access to education, against xenophobia, racism and other related intolerances, said the Agency - which deals with issues of youth development.
"We anticipate improved consolidation of our own national agenda for youth development and empowerment in South Africa and the strengthening of international partnerships and networking opportunities with like minded youth leaders from around the world," the agency said in a statement.
According to the agency, preparations are in full swing for this event scheduled for 13 - 21 December in Johannesburg.
In addition to daily conference sessions which will focus on social, political and economic issues facing today's youth, cultural programmes will take place every night at Mary Fitzgerald Square as well as major Metro's within the Gauteng province.
This programme will include concerts featuring local and international performing artists from all the regions represented by WFDY, an international poetry and song contest, a young filmmaker's meeting, the "scoring for friendship, solidarity and social transformation" soccer tournament and the "running for friendship, solidarity and social transformation" marathon.
Delegates will also participate in a march to Constitution Hill and explore themes of justice with a week long operation of a "mock court."
