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Empowering Youth

Addressing the asymmetries of knowledge

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:40

Leaders must address the asymmetries of knowledge in society and identify potential change agents that will assist in creating a society of skilled independent individuals. This is crucial to empowering the approximately 2.8 million young South Africans between the ages of 18 and 24 who are currently unemployed and also not registered with an educational institution.

This is according to Professor John Powell, Director of the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB), who says these results recently announced by the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) are an indication that there is a growing level of young South Africans who are becoming dependant on local opinion leaders as they lack the skills, knowledge and power to create independent decisions. Powell believes South Africa needs to “democratise” knowledge so that it becomes a basic right for all citizens – and no longer a privilege.

“The democratisation of knowledge is key to achieving the betterment of society. Leaders need to develop a systems based model to reduce knowledge disparities in stratified societies” says Powell.

In order to further explore this topic, the USB will host a Knowledge Management Conference, on 16 to 18 January 2012.

According to Powell, the objective of this “discussion-intense” conference is to move from the theory on knowledge in social organisations, through the implications for society, to practical social policy-making, to address the asymmetries of knowledge in society.

International and local representatives and experts on knowledge management will explore the behaviour and dynamics of knowledge in networks and organisations and give their input in the areas of policy-making, social economics, business, the NGO sector, the World Bank and other emerging areas of the world. One of the most well-known experts in the field of knowledge management, Prof Larry Prusak of Boston in the USA and senior advisor to the World Bank on knowledge and learning, along with five other international academics and practitioners will take part in the three-day programme.