Evidence-Based Youth Policy - Essay Example

Evidence Based Youth Policy A greater knowledge and understanding of youth is of paramount significance for policy making in the field of young people, after all, to meet the expectations and needs of youths, policies should be based on the best obtainable evidence (knowledge) and understanding of their expectations and requirements. An evidence based youth policy is especially useful and relevant when looking at rapidly developing world, like position of youth in Europe. In this context younger generation research plays a very important role in gathering effective evidence (knowledge) and understanding to formulate youth policies. The necessity for systematic investigation on youth issues headed to an array of activities within the Council of Europe. The "Recommendation 92 (7)" of the Committee of Ministers specifies three broad objectives for youth policy. The White Paper of Commission "A new impetus for European youth" deals elaborately about the priorities of youths and proposes following objectives: For timely, sustainable and efficient policy making, it is necessary to formulate a qualitative, relevant and coherent knowledge in the youth area in Europe and anticipate future requirement through dialogue, exchange and networks; Identify - including at regional and local level - knowledge in priority field of the youth area namely, information, participation and voluntary activities and carry out measures to update, supplement and ease access to it; In next stage identify - including at regional and local level - knowledge in more important field of interest to the youth area, like health, employment, education and training, non-formal learning, fight against discrimination, and carry out measures to update, supplement and ease access to it; Ascertain quality, relevant and comparability of knowledge in the younger generation area by applying appropriate tools and methods. Malta's National Youth Policy 2004 In 2003 European Commission and Council of Europe agreed to increase co-operation for evolving a better and common knowledge basis in the youth area by gathering research knowledge and networking in order to enhance educational practice and European youth policy. On the basis of the above guidelines Malta formulated a National Youth Policy in 2004. It incorporated various aspects of young people field such as social, personal, spiritual and political development of youth within a holistic perspective. In other words, the youth policy is meant to encourage an integrated manner, youth's social, economic and cultural positions, like access to advice and information, education, employment, health, housing and leisure. The final goal of this National Youth Policy is to promote youth participation in society and to train them for a dynamic form of citizenship. The State (Republic of Malta) recognises the role of the National Youth Council (an autonomous body representing youth organisations), Youth Studies Programme (University of Malta), Youth Centres, Non-Governmental Organisations and other youth groups. This national youth policy sets a broad parameter within which young people work should be accomplished. In general, the term 'evidence based youth policy' refers to a practice that has been adopted after evaluating it with rigorous scientific techniques, particularly experimental studies utilising random assignment and is applicable on young people between the ages of 14 - 30. However, Malta's National Youth Policy also recognises various stages of youth, from pre-adolescence to adulthood. The term 'disadvantaged youths' means those young people who faces discrimination due to their socio-economic, religious, health or educational backgrounds. This policy has a holistic approach of youth aspirations and development but here we shall focus to State's policy in the field of health. Health The State follows a holistic perspective of health which does not only incorporate therapy and cure but also primary health care, promotion and prevention. It contains the broader spectrum of mental, physical and psychological perspectives. The State strives to promote Health Education at early stage. This early beginning of Health Education inculcates positive drive for a firm foundation in healthy life. It also instills harm-reduction and preventive measures. Education is the best means to transfer culture from one generation to the other. On the one hand, it socialises young generation according to the culture and on the other, it also infuses tolerance for diversity or plurality of culture. Thus, helps honouring human rights and democratic values. The policy also recognises that the psychological and mental health of youth and its management are a specialised branch and so they should have specific facilities and treatments. Health policy covers almost all sector of professional and personal life such as careless driving, unprotected sex or promiscuity, malnutrition, addiction and hazardous leisure styles. The State is equally concerned about health and safety at work, it safeguards youth from the professional exploitation, for example, prohibits employment below the legally-accepted age, wages defying prescribed norms or which does not ascertain adequate standard of living, torture, and neglect for Health and Safety Act. Health policy does not mean just policies regarding physical and mental well-being; it should also be concerned about the surrounding, in other words, environment. A happy and healthy life is always bestowed by fresh and clean environment. So, this policy also encourages youth to adopt a pro-environmental attitude, that is, environmental awareness. Only a higher level of public health and better standard of living can make the nation cheer-up. For this purpose the State has introduced chapters on health and environment in the national curriculum from the very early stage of schooling years. Various health and environmental awareness programmes are also organised. Evaluation of National Youth Policies of some European countries Slovakia The Slovakia Republic is one of the youngest countries in Europe in relation to percentage of population; about 38% of people are young within the age group of 25 years. The Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Family are responsible for carrying out national policy in the youth sector. At regional governmental structures special importance is delegated to department of health care, social services and environmental protection. The aim is to develop holistic perspectives for younger people, and create healthy conditions for their long lives. The national health care system is specifically focused towards younger generation's health. Slovakia's life expectancy is lower than several advanced European countries (about 4-5 and 5-7 years in women and men respectively). The most apparent groups of illnesses are infectious and chronic diseases, cancer (oncological) and cardio-vascular diseases. Younger generation is also exposed to these diseases. Some of the diseases which endanger youths until the age of 18 are optical dysfunctions, poor posture and neurasthenic disorders. Other maladies are asthmatic diseases and allergies mainly caused by environmental pollutions. Nutritional disorder and unhealthy life styles causes obesity, blood pressure and increased cholesterol. To deal with such problems the Slovak national health policy does not only focuses on hygienic and clinical preventions, but it also implements various preventive measures. These are incorporated in health education which stresses on inculcating positive fundamentals and requirements for a healthy life. Finland The National youth policy of Finland has transformed itself from sectorial viewpoint to a transversal vision and functioning as a network. The Ministry of Education in co-ordination with other ministries is responsible for implementing the policy. Finland is acknowledged as one of the leader country in the area of public health. Furthermore, this is touched by its receptiveness to outside review of its accomplishments, progress and problems in public health. Finnish health policy and health care system represents high-level of integrated planning in the field of health and sustainable development. Finland in cooperation with WHO has played a significant role in developing and replenishing health policy for herself and European Region. In general, the national youth policy focuses on the prerequisites of the society, community and environment that could enable healthy living. The policy adopts comprehensive approach that emphasises on creating and strengthening public health condition, rather than focusing health services as a "guarantee of good health" for the people. The government has founded the National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES) by uniting the national health and social boards. STAKES has been established as a Research and Development organisation and to support municipalities at local level. The Academy of Finland used to provide fund for research in health inequality, but presently it conducts research programmes for extensive health promotion. These have significantly strengthened health care system in the country. Britain Several ministerial services, both national and local are engaged in implementation of youth policies in Britain. In Great Britain, the Department of Education and Employment deals with the issues of schooling, training and employment. The Department of Health is responsible for young people health requirements, and the Home Office deals the issues of juvenile delinquency. In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the administrative units function in more or less the same pattern. There is no particular Department of Youth, but the "Citizenship, Youth and Family" division of the of the DfEE looks after the younger generation issues in England, as the Departments of Education in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Nevertheless, local bodies are entrusted the responsibility for the implementation of youth policies. They are primarily for youth between 11 to 25 years of age covers areas of youth information, remedial teaching, cultural activities and social work. They also provide funds to voluntary organisations and disadvantaged youths. The Children Act 2004 furnishes the model for youth policy in Britain, attempting to offer a new approach for welfare of children and youth up to age 19. Its objective is to provide support to every child and youth to remain healthy, stay safe, make a positive contribution, enjoy and achieve; and attain economic prosperity. These five outcomes corroborate all aspects of governmental policy related to children and younger generation. The Act made compulsory for local authorities to join forces with partners to accomplish these outcomes. By April 2008, local bodies are supposed to put up integrated youth support services, combining both targeted and universal services according to younger people requirements. Comparison of National youth policies of Slovakia, Finland and Britain with Malta's National Youth Policy 2004 Malta's National youth policy approach seems to originate from the same extensive mindset to health which has prompted several other nations (Slovakia, Finland and Britain) to develop policies oriented to youth. The term 'Health' has been included in the European Union (EU) agenda since the Maastricht European Council of Ministers summit in 1992. Though a short period of membership in the EU, Malta has underlined that health should be dealt in all sort of policies and should not be covered in isolation, just regulating disease-oriented programmes. The National Youth Policy 2004 of Malta takes into consideration the personal, social, spiritual and political development of youth within a holistic perspective. As Slovakia, Finland and Britain envisages that the aim of their National Youth Policy is to motivate youth to participate in society and to develop active form of citizenship, so do Malta. Thus, the subject matter in national youth policies of all European nations are the same, the only difference is in degree of implementation. Questionnaire Following information should be collected in order to carry out a study addressing Maltese young people's health. 1. With whom do you like to spend your spare time (a) Alone (b) friends (c) organisation (d) none of these 2. How do you visualise your future prospects (a) Optimist (b) pessimist (c) moderate (d) can't say 3. A contented life for Maltese young people is good health, employment . (Mention your thoughts in one paragraph) 4. What is your parameter for success 5. Malta has good health care system. (a) Agree (b) moderate (c) don't agree (d) can't say 6. Your degree of information about National Youth Policy. (a) Well informed (b) some knowledge (c) No information (d) none To know the effect of National Youth Policy on younger generation and specifically about the Maltese young people's health one should explore the questions raised in the questionnaire. The basic reason for devising such questions is that the life style of today's young people could be gauged by their value orientation, that is, their attitude towards health, society and environment. In general, the Maltese young people consider contented life in a well-paid job, considerable amount of money, happy family life and personal freedom. The current moral values and life style shows the social trend of a nation. The majority of youth modify their way of life according to the market demand or cultural need. The government should up-to-date itself by collecting recent information regarding these aspects and modify National Youth Policy. Thus, the evidence based youth policy would become more dynamic and result oriented. Works Cited Villarruel F., Perkins, D., et al. (2003). Community Youth Development Programs, Policies, and Practices, Sage Publications. Delgado, M. (2000) New Frontiers for Youth Development in the Twenty-First Century, Columbia University Press. Roche, J., Tucker, S., et al. (2004). Youth in Society: Contemporary Theory, Policy and Practise, Sage Publication. Youth policy in Malta "A New Impetus for European Youth" 13 April, 2008 Read More