Austria Youth Event 2006: Employment, Informal Learning and Participation

11 April 2006

Vienna and Bad Isch, Austria, were the host cities of the Austria Youth Event 2006, held on March 28-31, with participation of youth representatives from all EU countries, candidate countries and other countries in Europe. The aim of the conference was to discuss the future of youth policies in Europe.

Each state was represented by two youth representatives. Croatia was represented by Velka Simetic from ZUM, Association for promotion of employment and voccational training of the youth from Pula, and Sasa Dupor from �Korak ispred� Youth Association from Rijeka, upon prior reccommendation by the Ministry of Family, Veterans of War and Intergenerational Solidarity.

The participants were divided into three workshops: (1) Youth and Employment; (2) Value and Importance of Informal Education and Self-Education; and (3) Future of Youth in Europe. The results of their work were incorporated in a Declaration adopted by general consensus, which is a continuation of the Declaration on Informal Education (European Youth Forum) adopted in Brussels in November 2005.

The part of the Declaration dedicated to youth employment emphasizes, among other things, the necessity to create a balance between job flexibility and security, in the shape of the �Flexurity� concept. The measures designed to increase the flexibility should be followed by measures that will provide for adequate job security for the youth.

The part on informal education emphasizes the need for stronger engagement of all stakeholders in the promotion of recognition and acceptance of this type of education in European communities. However, the recognition of informal learning should not lead to its formalization, having in mind that such a development would be countreproductive, states the Declaration.

The last part, entitled �The Future of Youth in Europe�, discusses the strengthening of youth participation in decision making processes on all levels. WIth that goal in mind, it proposes concrete measures, including the establishment of a new type of social partnerships created by representatives of the youth, decision-makers and service providers, such as educational and health institutions; creation of an institution of youth ombudsperson; lower the voting age to 16 years of age.

The Youth Declaration from Vienna and Bad Ischl was formally presented to the EU Ministers. Informally, dialogue was opened between youth representatives and ministers in each of the working groups.

The Declaration is available at www.austriayouthevent2006.at.