Youth policy in the Czech republic
The category of the Youth is in the Czech
republic defined as people up to 26 years of their life. Children are than
according to the law up to 18 years old. Children and Youth are traditionaly
approximately 16 – 17% percent of whole population of the Czech republic.
More than 50% of young people are students and therefore enjoy different social
benefits health and social insurance, travel and entrance discounts etc.. The
employment rate among yong people is about 35% and unemployment is
about 8%.
Youth as topic in the public space?
Unlikely, there is no professional journal
devoted solely to the youth. In general public are in the last years mostly
three main topics they are discussed – criminal liability line (lower to
14 years), „finalizing of privatization“ of the former communist youth
organisation (SSM) property and modestone payment of payments by doctors (which
is more connected to the general healt reform and its politics). According to
different surveys unemployment is the biggest problem of Youth which is not
really the topic of public debate as well as alcohol consumption which is also
very high among youngsters – more than 75% of youn people are drinking
regularly.
Political processes representants
The responsibility for youth policy in the Czech
republic has Ministery of Education Youth and sports. Nowadays is in the
framework second Conception of the state policy in the field of children and
youth for the period 2007 – 2013. The Conceptions coverd 19 most
important areas to focus which include problematic of participation,
information, youth research, education, non-formal learning, employability,
housing, volunteering, culture, environment, youth work, family protection
policy, media, european and international cooperation etc. By the creation of
the documents ministry came out of evaluation previous conception and also
consultation with communities, youth sections of regional autorithies,
interested NGO´s as well as umbrella organisations as National council of
children and youth (ČRDM) and Czech Youth Trade Union Council (RM ČMKOS).
In the
field of youth NGO´s is the most important umbrella Czech Council of Children
and Youth (ČRDM – Česká rada dětí a mládeže) which was created
1998 by 8 biggest youth organisations in country. Nowadays CRDM represent
94 youth organisations including youth political parties. Most important
activities are annual festival of youth organisations called Bambiriáda,
special insurance for youth participants and youth workers by activities
organised by members of ČRDM, monthly magazin Archa about youth leisure time
activities in the Czech republic, award „Přístav“ to value of concrete
people in the administration which support development of youth field, lobbying
to the legislative bodies etc.. The dialog between ministry and CRDM is
established very well.
By the Ministry is working also National Institute of Children and Youth (NIDM) which main aim is to support education in formal and non-formal field. By NIDM is operated also Czech National Agency (ČNA) which launch Youth in action programme and the information net Eurodesk.
EU Presidency priorities in the youth field
In the youth field the Czech Republic has defined 3 main priorities for its presidency:
1) Evaluation of the Framework of Cooperation in the Youth Field
This topic will be discussed within the Youth Event and DG-meeting on youth.
2) European Youth Pact
The topic is closely related to the national priority: “competetivness”. Key Messages for the Council. This topic will be discussed within the Youth Event and DG-meeting on youth.
3) Voluntary activities
The topic is also closely linked to the national priority: “competetivness”. This topic was also discussed within the Conference on Youth. The results will be used also on the Youth event.
On the realization of thies priority the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports closely cooperate with the Nation Institute of Children and Youth and with the Czech Council of Children and Youth.
