The weeklong workshop held from the 22 to 26 March was held at the Mountain Inn, in Mbabane Swaziland. YES Networks from twelve countries attended the workshop. Three delegates from each country attended.

Officially opening the meeting, Swaziland's Minister of Employment and Enterprise Mr. Lufto Dlamini challenged the youth in the region to take up risks and move forward in creating youth employment for their nations. Honourable Dlamini stressed that without own passion in addressing challenges themselves, young people will not be able to change rigid perceptions that are rooted in communities against the youth. He said only by proving themselves capable, will society especially in the region be able to accept young peoples abilities. The Minister concluded his address with a challenge to youth workers to be professional and good role models to fight the devastating HIV/Aids, which the region tops in global infections figures.

Also present in the official opening were Clayton Peters (YDN Director), Hr F.G.J.D. Oostergetel (Consular Genera Royal Netherlands Embassy), Mr. Dumisani Nzuza Consular of the South African Embassy and many more diplomats.

Training

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The regional training workshop a training workshop with various youth employment actors based on capacity building needs identified in the Regional needs analysis. The capacity building areas that were identified were the following:


1.Partnership building with the private sector


Lindiwe Thukani from one of South Africa's leading banks ABSA social division facilitated Tuesday. The topic was building partnership with the private sector. YES is in a partnership building process with both the private and public sector. Establishing a clear and legal structure and identifying appropriate programmes towards the partners were the main areas covered. Transparency and accountability were identified as critical in building effective partnerships. Ms. Thukani also donated to all participants' videos and booklets on successful business partnerships.



2.Policy development and review and


Wednesday opened with action planning at National level by stashing out the issues country networks had identified since Monday. Later on, an established economist Simba Manyanya brought in policy analysis and review session looking at areas of policy development, indicators and way of lobbying and influencing policy outcomes. The economist also painted the challenge the
YES Country networks faces in Africa due to economic decline, due to unstable global and local economic policies.



3.Proposal writing.


The last day was about tools to be used in proposal writing and development. Adrian Oxborrow a consultant from South Africa outlined the basic process of proposal writing including how to make first contacts. Integrity and professionalism coupled with transparency and accountability were identified as main areas YES Networks should strive to achieve at all level in building and implementing an effective campaign.

The four days work finally evolved to action plans for the country networks to follow as part of reasserting their programmes. The week provided for a Coordinators meeting on the future of the YES Networks and also MEXICO preparations.

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