Abstract
South African youth is described as marginalised and vulnerable because of, amongst others, high unemployment rates, a lack of access to opportunities and environmental degradation that threatens their and future generations’ well-being. Both social work and faith-based organisations place value on the empowerment of marginalised youth, as well as on the importance of participatory environmental initiatives. Practice guidelines to effectively empower youth in this regard are, however, lacking. This discussion was aimed at determining how environmental social work can take place in collaboration with faith-based organisations to contribute to both the empowerment of youth and environmental justice. A search of literature from 2010 onwards was conducted, focusing on the terms ‘sustainable development’, ‘marginalised youth’, ‘environmental and/or green social work’ and ‘faith-based organisations’. Central themes were identified through a thematic analysis. Four central themes were identified for youth empowerment through an interdisciplinary approach to contribute to environmental justice, namely environmental responsibility, attitude, knowledge and concern. It was concluded that the potential of an interdisciplinary environmental approach may be based on collaboration and an openness to include a renewed change orientation where disciplines work together across boundaries in multiple spaces to support environmental change and youth empowerment simultaneously.Contribution: The framework for collaborative initiatives may service as a guide to support marginalised youth to actively participate in social and environmental justice initiatives to contribute to their own and future generations’ well-being.
Highlights
The concern for environmental preservation stems from an increase in climate changes and natural disasters, as well as political and socio-economic instability. Klarin (2018:67) argued that humans endangered the survival of the Earth and that they need to address this damage to ensure that future generations do not pay the price for the behaviour of earlier generations
Two global agendas to address environmental concerns and aimed at environmental change and social justice are discussed as a backdrop to a discussion of challenges experienced by South African youth and their relation to environmental issues
Key aspects to include in youth empowerment through environmental initiatives Working with youth towards environmental awareness and sustainable development requires an ecocentric focus, a change orientation, the inclusion of a variety of stakeholders who can support interventions and the development of knowledge and skills of what is needed for youth in a specific context to become active in preserving the planet whilst engaging in their own development (Ramsay & Boddy 2016:13)
Summary
Key aspects to include in youth empowerment through environmental initiatives Working with youth towards environmental awareness and sustainable development requires an ecocentric focus, a change orientation, the inclusion of a variety of stakeholders who can support interventions and the development of knowledge and skills of what is needed for youth in a specific context to become active in preserving the planet whilst engaging in their own development (Ramsay & Boddy 2016:13).
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