Young People in Changing Societies

This annual UNICEF report monitoring the impact of transition in the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) examines the situation of young people in the 27 countries of the CEE and the CIS. It looks at what has happened to the 65 million 15 to 24-year-olds who are the first generation to complete their education, look for jobs, marry and have families, since the fall of the Berlin Wall. As well as quantitative data, it includes the views of young people on issues such as education, politics, health, work and leisure, gathered during group discussions in six transition countries. The Report finds that those countries that have progressed further in the transition agenda offer young people greater opportunities in education, business, and politics but it warns that new freedoms have meant new risks almost unknown to earlier generations: unemployment, drugs and other substance abuse, and HIV infection. Chapters cover: health, including lifestyle; education; employment; political and social participation. A statistical annex is included. The Report finds that the health risks of young people have increased. There is an impending HIV/AIDS crisis in a region which was one of the least affected parts of the world. Alcohol, drug and tobacco use and the suicide rate are on the increase in many countries in the region. The Report proposes the development of youth-friendly policies to tackle the issues outlined in the report and suggests ways in which these could be made most effective. These include involving young people in service planning and provision and targeting young people as valuable assets and able partners.UNICEF: Innocenti Research Centre is the author of 'Young People in Changing Societies', published 2001 under ISBN 9788885401655 and ISBN 8885401651.