The document discusses issues facing South Africa's education system. It notes that students at the University of Stellenbosch seemed disconnected from their own history and the relevance of creating a timeline was lost on them. This suggests the education system is failing to properly teach students about their own history and culture. It also argues that the system still reflects the inequalities of the apartheid era and is producing workers for the 20th century economy rather than developing skills for the 21st century. Overall, it asserts that South Africa's education system is in crisis, failing disadvantaged communities and limiting the country from reaching its full potential.
In May 2005, Karen was one of the seven 'visionaries' selected from 1600 applicants by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust. With her ideas for a more just and peaceful world, Karen founded Equanomics UK.
Equanomics UK is an initiative to build a UK community led alliance that reshapes race related policy through an economic lens. Through Equanomics UK Karen organised two UK tours with the Reverend Jesse Jackson to highlight economic injustice.
In addition to her work with Equanomics UK, Karen runs her own consultancy with the premise: 'Equality for Your Business is My Business'. She also teaches Glen Parva Youth Offenders Institute, South Leicestershire College, and the Workers Educational Association.
Voluntary Action LeicesterShire was delighted to welcome Karen as a keynote speaker at our 2013 Future Focus Conference. The conference is now complete, but if you'd like to be a part of our 2014 conference, visit www.valonline.org.uk
In May 2005, Karen was one of the seven 'visionaries' selected from 1600 applicants by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust. With her ideas for a more just and peaceful world, Karen founded Equanomics UK.
Equanomics UK is an initiative to build a UK community led alliance that reshapes race related policy through an economic lens. Through Equanomics UK Karen organised two UK tours with the Reverend Jesse Jackson to highlight economic injustice.
In addition to her work with Equanomics UK, Karen runs her own consultancy with the premise: 'Equality for Your Business is My Business'. She also teaches Glen Parva Youth Offenders Institute, South Leicestershire College, and the Workers Educational Association.
Voluntary Action LeicesterShire was delighted to welcome Karen as a keynote speaker at our 2013 Future Focus Conference. The conference is now complete, but if you'd like to be a part of our 2014 conference, visit www.valonline.org.uk
Nous sommes très près de l’abîme, et donc il faut faire un grand pas en avant pour ne pas risquer la catastrophe… Notre structure sociale génère des complications et des ennuis très importants, et cette situation ne pourra pas continuer pour long temps… Sûrement quelque chose va se passer, qui changera en profondeur l’ordre institutionnel et quotidien actuel… Pensez vous avec nous, pour pouvoir choisir le miex qui soit possible…
Nuestra estructura social genera importantes complicaciones y confictos, y esta situación no podrá continuar por mucho más tiempo… Seguramente algo va a pasar que torcerá los acontecimientos, que cambiará rumbos en el orden institucional y cotidiano actual… Piense usted con nosotros para poder elegir lo mejor…
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SOCIAL BEHAVIOR CHANGE COMMUNICATIONS (SBCC) IN CHANGING SOCIAL ATTITUDES ON EQUAL RIGHTS TO PROPERTY FOR WOMEN – THE CASE OF KOSOVO
Suburban poverty affects over 16.4 million people across the U.S. and is growing rapidly, significantly outpacing the growth rate of urban poverty over the last decade (64% vs. 29%). Experts suggest that the problem of suburban poverty is “the new normal.” While the basic needs of the poor in the suburbs are similar to those of the urban poor (e.g. education inequity, poor access to quality healthcare etc.), there are some critical systemic differences (e.g. limited transportation options, jurisdictional challenges etc.). These challenges are further exacerbated by the lack of awareness and understanding of the problem and
potential solutions.
This special edition of the Economist -- in partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation and OECD -- explores long-term living standards, crises and their impact; technology and jobs; pensions, and migration and climate change.
The words of Frantz Fanon that ‘each generation must discover its mission’ come to mind every time I have an opportunity to speak with young South Africans.
Nous sommes très près de l’abîme, et donc il faut faire un grand pas en avant pour ne pas risquer la catastrophe… Notre structure sociale génère des complications et des ennuis très importants, et cette situation ne pourra pas continuer pour long temps… Sûrement quelque chose va se passer, qui changera en profondeur l’ordre institutionnel et quotidien actuel… Pensez vous avec nous, pour pouvoir choisir le miex qui soit possible…
Nuestra estructura social genera importantes complicaciones y confictos, y esta situación no podrá continuar por mucho más tiempo… Seguramente algo va a pasar que torcerá los acontecimientos, que cambiará rumbos en el orden institucional y cotidiano actual… Piense usted con nosotros para poder elegir lo mejor…
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SOCIAL BEHAVIOR CHANGE COMMUNICATIONS (SBCC) IN CHANGING SOCIAL ATTITUDES ON EQUAL RIGHTS TO PROPERTY FOR WOMEN – THE CASE OF KOSOVO
Suburban poverty affects over 16.4 million people across the U.S. and is growing rapidly, significantly outpacing the growth rate of urban poverty over the last decade (64% vs. 29%). Experts suggest that the problem of suburban poverty is “the new normal.” While the basic needs of the poor in the suburbs are similar to those of the urban poor (e.g. education inequity, poor access to quality healthcare etc.), there are some critical systemic differences (e.g. limited transportation options, jurisdictional challenges etc.). These challenges are further exacerbated by the lack of awareness and understanding of the problem and
potential solutions.
This special edition of the Economist -- in partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation and OECD -- explores long-term living standards, crises and their impact; technology and jobs; pensions, and migration and climate change.
The words of Frantz Fanon that ‘each generation must discover its mission’ come to mind every time I have an opportunity to speak with young South Africans.
Remarks by Mr. Sha Zukang, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Secretary-General of The 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development
I am currently working towards developing the foundations for an NGO that is dedicated to the establishment of recreation and resource centers in global communities with the collaborative efforts of diverse groups and foreign governments. This power-point demonstrates the initial framework upon which the organization will be founded.
Global Engagement in an Interconnected WorldSummarized from a p.docxwhittemorelucilla
Global Engagement in an Interconnected World
*Summarized from a paper by the same title, authored by Dr. John Lee, Associate Professor of Social Studies, N.C. State University
Introduction
A mother sits with her son at a computer. Music fills the room as stylishly dressed kids dance on a computer screen. The scene is a house in the Western African country of Senegal where an encouraging mother is watching a music video with her son and offering her opinion of her son’s favorite new musical group, Rania. The group is from South Korea and is part of a music phenomenon called Korean Pop (or K-Pop) that fuses electronic, hip hop, rock and R&B musical forms. The young man made a video of his mother’s opinion of the group and put it on YouTube. A South Korean musical group, singing music online that emerged in black American culture, is being shared by an African boy on a global commercial video sharing network. How did we get to this point and what are the implications of this interconnected and overlapping world for this young man’s future and the future of young people in the United States?
A certain vision of the future is already here, although unevenly represented around the world. This future is cross-cultural and supported by a global economic system of multinational interests delivered through a decentralized communications network. Young people today are growing up in an interconnected world with access to information through a wide variety of mediums and devices that support the exchange of ideas and opinions. Given that these systems for communication are in constant flux and are being rapidly developed, children must prepare for a future that will look different than the world of their parents.
Trends in Youth Global Engagement
There are six trends that will shape the global engagement of Generation Z over the next decade. Each of them is outlined below.
Trend #1 – The Emergence of an Online Global Identity
Online social networks connect people and create avenues for extending our identity. Identity is connected to our physical being, but increasingly young people are crafting online identities using social networks. Manuel Castells describes this phenomenon in his recent trilogy The Information Age: Economy, Society and Culture. Castells argues that the organization of global economics, political and social institutions prompts individuals to create meaning in their lives through collective action. This explains why networks such as Facebook have become so popular (500 million active users), so fast (Facebook went online in 2004). The attraction of Facebook is the human interaction and collective action that it facilitates. The technology is much less important than the human activities that the technologies enable. In fact, actual interfaces such as Facebook come and go rather quickly (e.g. AOL and MySpace, both with explosive growth and quick declines). These global networks allow people to be free of their “other” identities - ...
Global Engagement in an Interconnected WorldSummarized from a p.docx
SAES - Essay
1. Does South Africa’s Education System face a crisis?
It was our first lecture at the University of Stellenbosch and a group of us, ages 18–25, were
asked to create a timeline of South African history. Apart from the awkward silence, there was a
nonchalant, almost bored atmosphere in the room. The relevance of the task seemed lost to my
peers (all South Africans). Such a large group of bright young people, so lost to inertia had to be
symptomatic of a much larger problem: they were disconnected from their own histories and
futures. I knew that I was experiencing a moment among casualties of the South African
Education System.
You have to look at history as an evolution of society, Jean Chrétien
South Africa’s history provides a wealth of lessons, both personal as well as global. Like any
lesson, the content has to be studied critically, drawing forth the spirit of the past and examining
it. Like most countries, South Africa is a melting pot of cultures. However, unlike most countries,
it has been dominated by a minority population through oppressive means. As other countries
were ridding themselves of the ugly badge of colonialism and racial segregation in the late 40’s,
South Africa institutionalized inequality in such an efficient way that the shockwaves still rock
the nation today. Services were distributed unevenly and to this day, follow the same trend
regardless of the laws in place for a more balanced society. In a country where, for over a
century, the black majority was trained to give only service to a small minority, the habits formed
are harder to break than people realized. Adding to that, in an even bigger picture, the
education system, a factory in itself, producing workers for a 20th
century industrial economy,
not a 21st
century, innovative, living community. With these two pillars of conditioning in mind,
any kind of identity was lost. We see this in the steady and dramatic decline of the living
standards of the black majority with the exception of a few, more privileged non-whites who tend
to adopt the pervasive western culture, shunning black cultural norms and in the process,
decidedly pitting themselves against themselves.
To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity, Nelson Mandela
Education, being a fundamental human right, is the key to empowerment and individual
freedom. Like any process, education needs to be fluid with the ability to adapt to global shifts
and economic requirements. Unfortunately, South Africa has a system that is bogged down in a
mire of inequality, poor resource utilisation and a lack of relevance. In my experience, educators
are either unwilling or unable (or both) to dedicate their time to the long-term goal of Active
Citizenry in line with National Development. As pillars of authority, educators are in a prime
position to pass on attitudes and mind-sets to children who more frequently than not, come from
disadvantaged homes. This feedback loop can propagate a community that prioritises hard work
and development over instant gratification, the critical work ethic necessary to overcome current
states of being. Resources are being diverted toward approaches that have no bearing on the
needs of a society that is crumbling slowly. Furthermore, the lack of transparency and
accountability of the resources proves the awareness of guilt amongst the perpetrators.
Nicholas Spaull, who is affiliated with the University of Stellenbosch, gave an enlightening
presentation, detailing the extent to which the Education System is in dire need of a nationwide
intervention. Unsurprisingly, data pointed to a dramatic gap between a large, failing majority and
a small, above average minority. Once again, bringing into focus poor service output to
socioeconomically disadvantaged communities in South Africa. Townships and rural areas,
without access to beneficial services, send waves of young, unemployable people into even
worse states of poverty in cities that have no way of supporting the influx.
2. If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor, Desmond
Tutu
Being a Zimbabwean, I have a unique opportunity to observe young South African’s battle to
find their place in a constantly changing system. These young men and women come from a
long line of dedicated freedom fighters with admirable tenacity and patience. Why then, one
may wonder, is South Africa swiftly becoming a haven for petty criminals, a continued example
of how not to operate as a country? Juxtaposed against the controversial history and present of
Zimbabwe, South Africa has a head start toward a stable, diverse economy that utilizes all of
her resources, including her vast interwoven network of galvanised citizens who are able to act
with pride in their nation if they choose to. For this paradigm to take hold, each individual has to
understand that the system applies to them on an individual level, as well as on a national scale.
Whether it necessitates a monthly compulsory community meeting to discuss current policy or
visits from popular government officials to underprivileged homes to establish a sense of
concern and connectedness. Current ideologies centre on typical millennial social constructs
and these include some of the worst: instant gratification being at the forefront of almost any
decisive action, an almost narcissistic interpretation of the world, as well as some of the best -
an optimistic view of the endless number of possibilities and a social view directed toward
diversity, sharing and individuality. With this in mind, we can see that the potential for forging a
new path is just an “aha moment” away. Instead of resting on excellent, well written national
development plans, South Africa must engage her residents in collective action to embrace and
sacrifice to raise each pupil to his/her highest potential achievement. However, pride in country
cannot give rise to populistic pride, as seen in the tragic xenophobic attacks the country has
experienced. Active citizenship comes in many forms and in this time, people have the ability
but not yet the realization that they have the chance to make small changes that ripple
throughout the system. With something as small as beginning a school day with a pledge of
allegiance or restoring the dignity of being an educator in the eyes of society by popularizing this
career choice (with the aid of nationally broadcasted media for example) and creating intrinsic
value attached to this status, the magnitude of these actions could change the course of any
self-destructive entity.
I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any
national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts, Abraham Lincoln
Reviewing statistics and analysing the data is a progressive step toward understanding the
situation but a more human approach is necessary for everyone to fully grasp the extent to
which a failure of the system will affect them. This in itself is proof that broken links in the chain
of education from basic to high school exist and must be rooted out before more harm is done.
When each citizen can look at the statement “The South African Education System faces a
crisis” and not panic but instead, see an opportunity then the true future and full potential of
South Africa will commence.