8.8 ENVIRONMENT AND TOURISM
Young women and men can perform a significant role in the environment and tourism sectors. These sectors provide a focus for specific youth concerns, whilst opening new opportunities for employment and enterprise.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
In its broadest sense, the environment contains the conditions or influences under which any individual or thing exists, lives or develops. These include the natural environment (including renewable and non-renewable resources such as air, water, land and all forms of life); the social, political, cultural, economic and working conditions that affect the nature of an individual or community; and natural and constructed spatial surroundings, including urban and rural landscapes and ecosystems and those qualities which contribute to their value.
When considering young people and the environment there are two broad issues. The first concerns the impact of environmental degradation on young people. Where, for example, pollution and waste management affects the quality of life all people experience. Young people, as with people of all ages, have a right "to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being; and to have the environment protected for the benefit of present and future generations (Constitution, Section 24). The second issue concerns environmental management and improvements; where young women and men can take an active role in participating in programmes and activities which improve the environment. Examples may include recycling, tree planting, community "clean-ups" and land reclamation.
Apartheid policies have made a significant contribution to a number of negative environmental impacts. The black majority were forcibly moved from commercial farming land to over-crowded and under-serviced rural and urban settlements. Often they had to live close to industrial areas and waste dumps, exposed to environmental hazards. Survival sometimes demanded unsustainable and environmentally damaging practices.
ENVIRONMENTAL VISION AND OBJECTIVE
The National Youth Policy has adopted one primary objective to deal with environmental concerns and young people: to increase awareness amongst young women and men of the issues associated with the environment and actions that can be taken to improve local environments.
ENVIRONMENT TARGET GROUPS
In addressing environmental and tourism concerns the needs of rural and poor communities should be given special attention.
ENVIRONMENT STRATEGIES FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
The following strategies have been designed to address this objective:
8.8.1 Environment awareness in schools
Provincial departments of education and environment shall investigate ways through environmental awareness can be promoted through the school curriculum. This awareness raising shall include aware of local environmental issues, sites and heritage. It shall also include an emphasis on individual and collective actions - the things that can be done to improve and protect the environment.
8.8.2 Community initiatives
The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism shall consult with the National Youth Commission, the South African Youth Council and relevant environmental NGOs to prepare a guide outlining the actions young women and men, youth clubs and youth development organisations can take regarding community initiatives to improve or protect the environment.
In addition, the National Youth Commission, when conducting its investigation into a national youth service programme (Strategy 8.1.4) will consult with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism to identify ways in which community-based environment projects can be assisted through this programme.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND TOURISM
Tourism is the largest and fastest growing industrial sector in the world and South Africa is well placed to develop within this sector as international interest in the country grows. Whilst high rates of crime may deter some visitors, South Africa is becoming a gateway to the rest of Africa. The opportunities for eco- and cultural tourism are especially significant within this sector.
TOURISM OBJECTIVE
When addressing the issue of young people and tourism the National Youth Policy has adopted the following objective: to promote a conducive environment for economic opportunities for young men and women in the tourism sector.
TOURISM STRATEGY
The following strategy has been designed to address this objectives:
8.8.3 Employment and enterprise opportunities
Employment within the tourism sector can present particular opportunities for young people. To realise these, however, young women and men require career guidance and access to vocationally oriented training and work experience. The National Youth Employment Strategy (see Strategy 8.3.3) should contain specific reference to the ways in which training and employment in the tourism sector can be addressed.
Similarly, the National Youth Enterprise Development Initiative (see Strategy 8.3.6) should include the identification of opportunities for youth enterprise in the tourism sector.
