|
Childrens Parliament - Kwazulu-Natal PRESS RELEASE
NELSON MANDELA CHILDREN'S PARLIAMENT ON LEADERSHIP, KWAZULU-NATAL
05 JUNE 2008 We the children and young people of KWAZULU-NATAL have, in this first NELSON MANDELA CHILDREN`S PARLIAMENT on LEADERSHIP, through discussion and debate learned many things about the conditions and circumstances of children and young people in our province. As a developing province, we in KwaZulu-Natal still experience many social problems and challenges like rural development, poverty, inequality, HIV/AIDS, crime and other social ills. We acknowledge that while the material condition of children and young people in the country has improved since freedom, not enough attention is being given to children in our province. We have learnt that we have the capacity to make a difference in our lives and that of our communities. We have learnt that we are able to change our circumstances and make a better world. In so saying we recognise that parents, educators and the adult world have a misunderstanding about the way young people think and express themselves; and that often we are described as the lost generation. That is a negative understanding of children and young people. As growing human beings we are hungry for knowledge and for independence. That struggle is essential and therefore adults need to learn about the various stages of our development before they label in any way. We have learnt that Parliament as a democratic activity brings us together; and in this collective action, we have discovered our strengths as young people, recognised our abilities to learn and teach each other at the same time. We are sensitive to each other`s needs, and that Parliament draws out in us, wonderful qualities of sharing and unity. Parliament gave us a rare of glimpse at the exercise of power and decision making. These tasks are huge and carry with them equally demanding responsibilities. The exercise of responsibility demonstrated to us our strengths as growing human beings who are bearers of Rights. We have learnt that dialogue is important in human communication and expression. We now recognise that there is no quality dialogue that takes place between most young people and the adult world (parents, educators and others). This silence forces us into behaviour patterns that are often seen as anti-social. Dialogue must flow from equal respect and equal expression of our rights and responsibilities. We recognise that even though we came from different locations, different cultures and social backgrounds, and from rural to urban settings we were able to find each other, that we were able to speak out about issues that affect us in a united voice. We learnt that we can become powerful voices for peace and non-violence, given the history of apartheid violence that we have all grown from. It is important to embrace our differences rather than to tolerate them. Such an approach enabled us to discover our human being-ness, from which flows all our positive human values and morality. We see parliament as an action programme that offers an opportunity to young people to come together and provide understanding of their lives to themselves and the adult world. Adults need to be educated on issues of Democracy and Rights, especially Children's Rights and Responsibilities in order to create a better, more understanding world. We affirm the legacy of dialogue given to us by Tata Madiba.
|