Doctoral Degrees (Sociology and Social Anthropology)

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Browsing Doctoral Degrees (Sociology and Social Anthropology) by Author "Balt, Marcelle"

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    Youth leadership development programs in Africa : assessing two case studies
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2004-12) Balt, Marcelle; Bekker, S. B.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Sociology and Social Anthropology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The central focus of this thesis is Youth Leadership Development programs in Africa. These programs are viewed within the context of the circumstances the youth currently face in their lives, and also the important role the youth in Africa have to play in the future of the continent. It is argued that leadership development holds the key to addressing the social, economic and political challenges Africa currently experiences. The Youth capacity building program in Uganda and the Joint Enrichment Project in South Africa were chosen as two case studies of Youth Leadership Development programs in Africa. The two case studies were benchmarked against the assessment tool that the International Youth Foundation (IYF) has created for making youth programs work. The above two programs differ greatly in their cultural, economic, social and political contexts. The aim of this study is to determine whether a single set of criteria for Youth Leadership Development programs in the African context is possible, despite the aforementioned differences inherent in the programs. To this end separate qualitative comparisons have been conducted on both the case studies. Shortcomings with regard to the assessment tool as well as the chosen youth programs were also identified. This study highlights that community development includes youth development, and therefore also the training of future leaders. Africa cannot rely on previous models of leadership development for today's youth. Further research in this field is needed, but this study confirms that Youth Leadership Development is vital in Africa.