Modern Trend In Youth Programme Promotion

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28347, 5 August 1957, Page 2

Modern Trend In Youth Programme Promotion

The Y.W.C.A.’s new national programme secretary, Miss Kathleen Holthusen, believes in moving with the times. Even calypso and rock ’n’ roll had a place on the programme for youth organisations, under sensible guidance, if there was a demand for them, she said in an interview when she arrived in Christchurch yesterday. “It is essential to give the young people what they want, rather than what organisers themselves think they should have,” she said. “The important point is to bring the youth of the community together for happy leisure time activities and to hold their attention. Interests of the moment must, therefore, be included in the promotion of programmes." Sunday Youth Cafe A branch of the Y.W.C.A. in a North Island town is planning to organise a Sunday youth cafe. Here young men and women will be able to meet their friends in much more friendly environment than in milk bars. In another town, the suggestion has been made to set up groups to learn the calypso and other forms of, modern dancing. “These ideas are all in the exploratory stage at the preseht time, but they show the trend of modern interests,” Miss Holthusen said. “It is the job or an organiser to size up the situation in a community and take the opportunity of supplying needs as they are recognised.” Miss Holthusen, who is making her first tour of the South Island since her appointment in April, feels that the age groups between 17 and 25 need the most assistance in the field of youth work. At this transitional stage from adolescence and adulthood, young people want independence yet they do not quite know how to make the best use of their leisure time.

For them programme organisers must give careful thought and consideration of their needs. Community Service

As a liaison officer between the national organisation of Y.W.C.A. and local associations. Miss Holthusen travels throughout New Zealand consulting staff members responsible for programme promotion and activities committees to ascertain how the community can best be served.

Before coming to New Zealand as national programme secretary of the Y.W.C.A., Miss Holthusen spent four years on the staff of training college hostels

in Leicester, and Aberdeen. Previously she had been a lecturer on the staff of Norwich Diocesan Training College, the oldest Anglic-' colle'' England SI

the Chelsea College of Physical Education and from the London University.

The name Holthusen, pronounced as two words “Holt Hoosen” is Danish in origin and there are only two branches of the family in England. “Imagine my surprise when I received a letter from a man of the same name in Napier. He turned out to be my father’s cousin and I did not even know he existed.” Miss Holthusen said.