[NYTr] Cuba Supports Training of Social Workers in South Africa

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Agencia Cubana de Noticias (ACN)
http://ainch.ain.cu/mailman/listinfo/ingles


Cuba Supports Training of Social Workers in South Africa

Havana, Sept 4 (acn) More than 9,000 unemployed youths in South Africa 
will be trained as auxiliary social workers by 2010, as a result of a 
program with the support of the Cuba.

South African social development minister, Zola Skweyiya said the 
implementation of the training program was part of an agreement of 
cooperation with Cuba's minister of labor and social security, Alfredo 
Morales Cartaya.

According to South African media outlets, the minister explained that 
young people will be trained as social workers to provide assistance in 
their communities to orphans and vulnerable children and youth. They 
will also try to alleviate the HIV and Aids impact in their home areas.

Cuba has developed a work training program comprising a formal 
university level program and a rapid 12-month social work training 
program.

As part of the implementation of the agreement signed September 3, the 
Cuban strategy would be replicated in South Africa seeking to alleviate 
the shortage of social workers and create much needed jobs as part of 
the expanded Public Works Program in the country.

He said the department would "train and absorb" 9,360 auxiliary social 
workers by 2010.

Skweyiya was in Cuba to strengthen ties and formalize cooperation on 
social security, services to women, youth and children, community 
development, poverty alleviation and the training of social service 
professionals.

The Ministry spokesperson, Lakela Kaunda said youth from rural and poor 
communities would be given priority in the national recruitment program.

The cooperation with Cuba would also include study tours and exchanges 
of technical expertise on policy development.