By Nangamso Mabindla
2 February 2005

IN AN effort to assist the Eastern Cape government fight poverty and unemployment; the Eastern Cape Youth Development Board will hold a summit in East London in March to educate youngsters about the economy.

The aim of the summit is to boost the local economy and help with employment prospects.

The summit - to be held from 10 to 12 March at the Regent Hotel - is designed to assist youngsters to draw up personal and organisational development plans to access funding for further educational opportunities.

This, in turn, will help participants access work opportunities.

According to the youth development board chairperson, Viwe Sidali, the summit will also help individuals, youth organisations and others organisations involved in poverty eradication.

"They will also receive information about the changing world of work and gain valuable knowledge about the province's economy," said Sidali. "Youths need to be prepared for the working world."

Because of a lack of job and learning opportunities, the province's youngsters did not have an understanding of the economy and other important factors needed to have a successful career.

"The summit will help the youth in playing an important role in the province's economy and employment growth - and, of course, in the overall functioning, survival and development of business," Sidali added.

However, for the youth development board to be successful, Sidali added, it needs assistance from various organisations like government and businesses. "We need support if we are to address successfully the scourge of unemployment and poverty."

The board was looking to local and provincial government, parastatals, youth funds and other organisations working to uplift the province's youth.

"With this summit we seek to plan the growth and development of the youth in the SMME sector."