INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON YOUTH POLICY HELD IN SARAJEVO

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (December 19,2007) – For the purpose of presenting the issues in youth policy at the local level and for the purpose of exchanging the experience of the best experts in the sector, an international conference on youth policy has been organized yesterday in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo, focusing on youth policy in Bosnia. The conference was organized by the Temporary Association of the Five Italian NGOs, which have implemented the project “Improvement of Position of Children and Youth in Bosnia”.

The program is financed by Italian Foreign Affairs Ministry through Italian Cooperation and is active in youth policy of 30 municipalities of Bosnia.

As stated yesterday prior to the conference, activities which focus on the increase of capacity in youth policy have been initiated and training courses for local institutions, youth organizations, schools and centers for social care have been organized.

For the purpose of solving the issues of unemployment of young people in Bosnia, the program has, in cooperation with the partner companies, conducted an expert analysis on the position of youth at the labor market. Results of the analysis have been presented to the relevant Bosnian institutions.

Trainings for 150 young people have been organized, so that they are made able to start their own business. A fund has also been formed, making the access to loans easier. About 400.000 Euros have been provided for the purpose.

Apart from the presentation of results of youth policy at the local level, yesterday’s conference also focused on concrete results related to Strategy and Action Plan adopted by municipalities which participate in the program.

Zlatko Horvat, the Bosnian Ministry of Civil Affairs Secretary expressed gratitude to the Italian Government which enabled the implementation of the project.

Representatives of Italian NGOs stated that implementation of the program of improving the position of children and youth in Bosnia will end in April and that its goals will not be realized by this date. In that sense, various activities will continue.