VOSESA and the United Nations Volunteers Programme (UNV), together with other partners, held a conference from 17-19 October, 2011, in Johannesburg, to discuss the role and contribution of volunteer action, including higher education civic engagement in regional integration and development, within the SADC region. This conference served as a platform to stimulate discussion, and eventually produce a well thought-out paper to inform the revisions to the SADC Education Protocol, with a view to strengthen the role of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in promoting democracy and development in the region. Fundamental to the project, and the conference, was youth involvement. VOSESA encourages youth participation, as the key aim of VOSESA is the fostering of a regional identity, as well as promoting the need for youth inclusion for a dynamic Southern Africa. The reason for this project lies in the potential of HEIs in Southern Africa to strengthen democracy and cultivate an engaged and informed citizenry of university students and graduates. However, there is gap in promoting, supporting and integrating community engagement in HEIs, and the issue often receives little attention. Instead of utilizing the position of HEIs to engage with government, industry or poor urban and rural communities, many HEIs focus on research and teaching before in preference to engaging with the community.
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