‘Childhood, Youth and Poverty on the Streets of Africa’ – Dundee Arts Café on 6th October

Published On Thu 1 Oct 2015 by Grant Hill

Researchers from the Universities of Dundee and Manchester will relate the experiences of African street children at the next Dundee Arts Café event.

Dundee’s Dr Lorraine van Blerk and Dr Wayne Shand, of Manchester, will explore what life is like for young people growing up on the streets of some of Africa’s poorest cities when they discuss the results of an innovative research project in Ghana, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

‘Childhood, Youth and Poverty on the Streets of Africa’ takes place at The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery and Museum at 6pm on Tuesday, 6th October.

Their research investigated the lives of 198 young people over a three-year period and explored poverty, exclusion and homelessness to stimulate debate on the factors that shape life lived on the street and the representation of street children in national and international policy.

Dr van Blerk said, “Child poverty is on the rise. Poverty is a significant barrier to young people’s well-being whether it is in Dundee, elsewhere in the UK or in the poorest cities across Africa. Now is a timely moment therefore to consider how young people experience poverty and the impact this has for their future adult lives. 

“Poverty is experienced differently across the world and for many young people living in African cities their lives are lived and experienced on the streets. This creates a unique set of issues and problems for young people around access to shelter, food, safety and money to survive. Through understanding these issues we can more effectively listen to young people regarding their needs as a universal tool for influencing policy across the globe."

Dr van Blerk is a Reader within the University of Dundee’s School of the Environment. Her research is broadly located at the intersection of social and development geography with a particular focus on children, youth and families.

Dundee Arts Café is a programme of talks showcasing arts research and developments taking place locally. The series is organised by the Universities of Dundee and Abertay, and Dundee City Council’s Leisure & Culture department.

These events enable members of the public to relax and discuss the arts, from English to History, Philosophy to Architecture, and Fine Art to Product Design, with some of the leading names carrying out work in these areas in Dundee. The events last one hour, and speakers talk passionately about their work for 30 minutes before the floor is opened up to an informal discussion with the audience.

‘Childhood, Youth and Poverty on the Streets of Africa’ takes place at The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery and Museum at 6pm on Tuesday, 6th October. The event is free and open to all but limited seating means visitors are advised to arrive early to avoid disappointment.

For more information about the event and Dundee Arts Cafe please visit www.DundeeArtsCafe.co.uk.

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Grant Hill
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University of Dundee
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