The involvement of the youth leadership in promoting public awareness of HIV/AIDS, and in HIV/AIDS education campaigns : a case study of the University of Durban-Westville.
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Date
2003
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Abstract
This study examines the involvement of youth leadership particularly at the
University of Durban Westville, in promoting public awareness about
HIV/AIDS and in HIV/AIDS awareness initiatives. The aim of the study was to
investigate the contributions of the student leaders in initiatives to combat
HIV/AIDS. Accordingly, interviews were conducted with leaders of various
student organisations at the university. The aim was to test the student
leadership's general understanding of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, types of
HIV/AIDS programmes and their involvement in them.
The study is based on a random sample of 15 of 35 student's clubs and
societies and the Student Representative Council at UDW. In addition, five
organisations from the university structures were interviewed for the purpose
of this study. These included: the Student Counsellor from the Wellness
Centre, the Academic Registrar from the University Management, Deputy
President of the Combined Staff Association, President of the Academic Staff
Association and the Director of the Centre for Educational Research,
Evaluation and Policy at University of Durban-Westville.
The general finding of the study is that the role of the student leadership and
its involvement on HIV/AIDS initiatives has been minimal and unorganised. In
response this study presents a number of recommendations to address this
problem. The key recommendation revolves around the need for the student
leaders and the university management to collectively design a framework
from which all HIV/AIDS initiatives will be administered. This includes policy
formulation and discussions on AIDS.
In the final analysis, it is imperative to note that this study was not done only
for the benefit of the UDW community, but other institutions such as the
government departments, particularly the Education Department, NGO's,
Youth Commission and other youth organisations.
Description
Thesis (M.A)-University of Durban-Westville, 2003.
Keywords
Youth--South Africa., Leadership., AIDS (Disease), Theses--Social policy.