It is within this complex socio‐cultural ‘hodge‐podge’ that our young people struggle each day to find their place, grappling with issues of sexuality, violence, education and vocational concerns, unemployment, disenchantment with the status quo, disconnect with adults, all in a culture that is permissive yet restrictive and punitive.

Our social reality is no longer simple, and the solutions relative to our ‘youth crisis’ are not simple either, nor will real change be evidenced overnight. One thing is evident though, that the solution lies in the realignment of our social values to reflect community spirit and social responsibility, respect, tolerance, justice, gender equality and the active engagement of young people.

The National Youth Policy proposes a Positive Youth Development Model. This new paradigm recognizes young people as critical and positive elements in their own and in national development. It is a positive, holistic approach that addresses the development needs of the young person, and puts young people and their families at the heart of development initiatives. Moreover, positive youth development is about building resiliency and connectedness; about building competencies and developing the skills and attitudes young people need to take part in society, now and in the future. It is important to note that this Model contrasts sharply with the deficits models which focus on simple “quick fix‐it” interventions and see young people as problems instead of assets.

Further it is recognized that positive youth development takes place in four (4) interconnected social environments (home, school, peer networks, work environments); and so any initiative geared towards youth development must of necessity consider the operating forces within these environments. Youth development initiatives must also have as their focus the strengthening of the positive forces and elimination of negative forces within these environments.