THURSDAY,
15 JUNE 2006: As we participate in honouring those
young people who struggled for equality and democracy
in education and observing the 30 year anniversary
of that struggle, South Africa also takes stock
of the effects of natural disasters and other
effects of climate change, which also have an
impact on youth development” These are the words
of JP Louw, the Chief Director of Communications
at the Department of Environmental Affairs and
Tourism in announcing the forthcoming World Day
to Combat Desertification on the 17 June 2006.
“Getting the youth involved
in programmes and activities aimed at combating
disasters like desertification and raising their
awareness about the impact of these in economic
and social development is key, if we are to achieve
the comprehensive development strategy for the
country and its people” he said.
The World Day to Combat Desertification
(WDCD) was declared by the United Nations Convention
to Combat Desertification {UNCCD} and is commemorated
all over the world with the prime objective of
highlighting the fact that desertification is
of global concern and to strengthen the visibility
and importance of the issue of dry lands on an
international scale.
Mr. Louw said that “this phenomenon
is rife in Africa and its effects are being felt
by the poorest people who rely mostly on agriculture
for their survival and livelihoods”. “It is important
to galvanize our efforts as member states and
countries to creatively and sustainably confront
this catastrophe” said Mr. Louw. He added that
South Africa was geared up to respond to the United
Nations call and declaration of this year as the
Year of Deserts and Desertification. “We have
launched a joint campaign as government to ensure
a comprehensive response to the issue of desertification,”
he said.
The celebration of the day will
give effect to the Presidential call for partnerships
across the country for stakeholders to tackle
the challenge of poverty which has a direct link
to desertification. This will also give effect
to the Implementation of the National Action Programme,
a strategy developed to combat land degradation
and alleviate rural poverty, which was approved
by Cabinet in November 2004.
This year marks the tenth anniversary
of the ratification of the UNCCD of which South
Africa became party in 1997. Mr. Louw was also
elated by the fact that the commemoration took
a somewhat dual angle, “we have dual reasons to
commemorate the day because we are focusing on
2006 as the year of the deserts and desertification
and celebrating the day under the theme “Beauty
of Deserts - The Challenge of Desertification,”
said Mr. Louw.
In expanding on the theme for
the day, Mr. Louw explained that “In South Africa
the day will present to us a good platform to
celebrate the fragile beauty and unique heritage
of our desert ecosystems in general and, to further
galvanize actions to effectively tackle the challenges
associated with desertification and land degradation”.
“Desertification is linked to
major problems on the planet including poverty,
malnutrition, starvation, epidemics, environmental
destruction and other social ills, So, the day
will further present the opportunity to remind
the entire community that desertification can
be effectively tackled through strengthened community
participation and cooperation at all levels including
the youth,” he concluded.
