CYN meets UN Assistant Secretary-General to discuss CAPMATCH

Several civil society organizations, including the Croatian Youth Network, met on 10 May with Ms Sarah Cliffe, the United Nations’ Assistant Secretary-General for Civilian Capacities. Ms Cliffe presented CAPMATCH, a United Nations project designed to systematize civilian capacities of the member countries in terms of providing assistance to post-conflict countries, namely in the building and strengthening of national institutions, security sector, judiciary, rule of law, and employment. Given its transition and post-conflict experience, as well as its intensified engagement in international peacekeeping missions and operations, Croatia has been invited to join the project, as well as Croatian civil society organizations.

Youth are key stakeholder in sustainable development debate

"Young people are one of the key stakeholders in the sustainable development debate" said Anamarija Sočo of the Croatian Youth Network at the "Zagreb+20 - Past and Future of Croatian sustainable development policy" conference which took place in Zagreb on 8-9 May. The conference was organized by Green Action and Robert Bosch Foundation. 

The aim of the national conference was, in the light of the upcoming Rio +20 UN conference, to analyse the Croatian policy on sustainable development and discuss its potential paths for the future. 

Anamarija also talked about numerous negative consequences which young people face and will do so even more in future, as a result of irresponsible developmental practices of the past and present. She also underlined that sustainable development is of prime concern for young people and that they are ready to join the debate. However, it is necessary to secure mechanisms for their involvement in decision-making processes and to empower young people for active participation.

We have a new address

We would like to inform you that from 1 May 2012 the Croatian Youth Network resides at a new address - Vladimira Nazora 22, Zagreb.

Our other contact information remain unchanged.

Welcome to our new office. :D

Meeting of youth clubs and youth (info) centres

The Croatian Youth Netwrok, together with Info zona, organized a meeting with representatives of youth clubs and youth (info) centers. This meeting, which took place in Solin on 23 and 24 April gathered some 30 participants from different parts of Croatia. It was an opportunity for the newly established Ministry for Social Policy and Youth to present their calls for project proposals in 2012. Moreover, a representative of the Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes presented granting opportunities suited to the needs of youth clubs and (info) centers, via the Youth in Action and Eurodesk programmes.

The rest of the meeting was dedicated to the discussion on funding and functioning criteria for youth clubs, and different types of youth centers. The meeting conclusions and recommendations will be summarized in the record, which will be consulted will all meeting participants, prior to being distributed to all relevant stake holders.
 

CYN participates in COMEM as a full member

This years' European Youth Forum Council of Members (COMEM) was the first YFJ statutory meeting in which CYN obtained the right to vote and thus fully participate as a full member. The COMEM took place in Brussels, from 20 to 22 April, and CYN was represented by Marko Boko, Board Member for International Relations.

The meeting was opened by a public conference entitled “Quality Jobs for Youth: are we asking too much?” organized jointly by the European Economic and Social Committee and YFJ. The conference focused on solutions to the problems of high unemployment and lack of quality job placements, and asked the question: “Are pre-employment contracts and precarious jobs a threat or opportunity for young people?”

The European Youth Forum adopted a position paper on the Structured Dialogue, and a policy paper on New Media and Internet Governance. During the Progress Report, the Board gave updates on the Youth in Action initiative and encouraged member organisations to contact their respective politicians before the Council Meeting on 11th May to ask for a strong and independent Youth in Action programme. The Strategic Priorities for the next six years (2013 – 2018) were officially adopted.

The upcoming General Assembly was announced as well. It is to take place in November in Maribor - the European Youth and Culture Capital.

 

Equality – (how) can we do it?

The Croatian Youth Network organized an anti-discrimination training entitled "Equality – (how) can we do it?", funded by the European Commission. The training gathered 16 young people from youth organizations all over the country. Trainers Mirela Travar, Cvijeta Senta and Emina Bužinkić discussed with the participants the forms of discrimination, ways to suppress discrimination, specifically focusing on discrimination of young people in the labor market.

Promo video for CYN's Youth Award at the official competition of Croatian Film Days 2012.!

A-half-minute video "Get involved", created to promote CYN's Youth Award established to give recognition to young people who contribute to positive social change, will be shown in the official competition of the Croatian Film Days 2012. The author of the video is Toni Skorić of "Blank", association which has recently become full member of the Croatian Youth Network. The video will be shown as one of 18 promo movies selected to be presented at the annual review of the best Croatian films of 2011. In addition to "Get involved", four other young authors from "Blank" will present their films: Dario Juričan with his movies "I, J, K, L" and "Nu:write 2011", Ana Perčinlić with "Today we ate the last cow" and Nina Bančetović with "Ola querida". 

CYN Assembly in Lovran

CYN held its General Assembly in Lovran, from 30 March to 1 April. The meeting was opened by Ms Katarina Pavić, President of CYN, and  Mr Ingo Kamenar, President of the Assembly of Primorje and Gorski Kotar County.

In the first part of the programme, member organizations participated in a series of activities aimed at analysing CYN work for the purpose of the new strategic plan. The process of analysis was led by Emina Bužinkić, former CYN president.

At this year's Assembly 5 new organizations became candidate members: AEGEE Zagreb, Izazov, Klub mladih Sineki, Zagreb Pride and Status:M. The following organizations were admitted into full membership: Blank filmski inkubator, Info-zona, S.O.S. Dječje selo Hrvatska and Trokut mladih Kaštela. CYN now has 61 member organizations.

The Assemly also adopted CYN's position paper on discrimination of youth at the labour market entitled "Access Forbidden? Aganist discrimination of youth at the Croatian labour market". CYN also presented its new visual identity and announces its new website.

Join the meeting of representatives of youth clubs, centres and info centres

CYN and Info zona invite interested representatives of youth clubs, centres and info centres to a meeting that is going to take place in Solin on 23 and 24 April.

This event is a follow-up activity of the last year's meeting and it will deal with practical issues like criteria for financial support for youth clubs, centres and info centres and the manner in which this area will be integrated in a new national youth strategy.

Youth in Croatia demand a focus

Within the framework of the project "Planned, promised, delivered - Youth in post-election period", CYN organized an all-day event entitled "focus:youth - 20% of the population demands a focus".

Two discussion panels covered the topics of political participation of youth, the new institutional framework for youth in Croatia, structured dialogue and the new European challanges facing Croatian youth. The event brought together representatives of youth wings of political parties, youth organizations and youtn advisory boards.

The special guest speaker was Tea Jarc, Vice-president of the National Youth Council of Slovenia, who shared her insights on the process of structured dialogue in Slovenia and the issues connected to the debate around the new European programme for youth.

The event was supported by the European Commission in the framework of the Youth in Action programme.

CYN General Assembly to take place on 31 March

This year's General Assembly of the Croatian Youth Network is to take place from 30 March to 1 April in Lovran. The programme of the Assembly includes, among other issues, consultations with member organizations on the new strategic plan, deciding on membership issues and discussing and adopting the position paper on discrimination of youth at the labour market.

CYN at the EU Youth Conference in Denmark

The EU Youth Conference of the Danish Presidency took place from 18 to 21 March in Sorø, Denmark. It was concluded with a set of joint recommendations drafted by youth delegates and Directors General on Youth of the EU Member States. The recommendations were a result of the three days of workshops and discussions at the conference and focused on youth participation in democratic life, which is the overall theme of this cycle of the Structured Dialogue.

The conference gathered numerous representatives of youth organizations across Europe, as well as decison-makers. CYN was represented by Ivan Vuk, Vice-president, Marko Boko, Board member in charge of international cooperation and Anamarija Sočo, International cooperation programme coordinator.

Highlights of the proposals included a call for Member States to start initiatives to stimulate discussion on lowering the voting age to 16, as well as easing the voting process through education and simplification of voting procedures. An independent programme for youth with its own budget line was also recommended, in order to promote full participation of young people in society.

Youth delegates used this opportunity to open discussions on various important topics. CYN representatives especially called for the introduction of civic education into formal school systems, as one of important preconditions for successful youth participation.

Equality - How to get there?

CYN is opening a call for all interested young people and representatives of youth organizations to take part in the training course entitled "Equality - How to get there?". The training is organized in the framework of the project "Disctimination of youth@workplace" supported by the European Commission. The training is to take place in Orahovica from 18 to 22 April. Twenty participants will have a chance to explore in depth the topics of non-discrimination, democratization, networking and advocacy.

CYN reacts to lay-off announcements in public sector targeting temporary employees

The Croatian Youth Network, with support of 8 other civil society organizations and youth sections of 2 largest trade union alliances has reacted to announcements of upcoming lay-offs by the acting Minster of Finance of workers employed via  temporary contracts in public sector. We deem this mechanism to be deeply irrational and in potential collision with prerogatives of the Directive 2008/78/EC (Equality Directive) and Croatian Act on Combating Discrimination (NN, 85/08). Due to the fact that young people are up to four times more likely to be employed via fixed term contracts, CYN emphasizes existence of potential indirect discrimination, in respect to the aforementioned legal acts.
Well aware that we are living in difficult times that require cuts in certain parts of public sector as-well, CYN stresses out that such unpopular measures have to be carried in accordance with respective legal act and with respect to certain social groups that have endured  impact of the Crisis more severely than the others – youth being one of them.

CYN at the public consultations on the Act on Associations

Public consultations took place on March 6 in Zagreb and were organized by the Office for Cooperation with NGOs and the National Foundation for Civil Society Development. Opening speech was given by the new Minister of Public Administration, Mr. Arsen Bauk, who emphasized paramount importance of civil society in Croatia and need that any potential amendments of the Act must not in any way jeopardize its advocacy potential and autonomy.
Many relevant topics related to the Act on Associations were discussed during the course of consultations. However, need for further and in more in-depth consultations were detected and acknowledged, both by the participants and organizers.
Nikola Buković, Programme Coordinator for National and Youth Policy Development participated in these public consultations on behalf of the CYN.
 

CYN on Civic Education

The Croatian Youth Network participated on 21 February at the public hearing on the Draft Curriculum for Civic Education which was organized by the Governmental Office for Cooperation with NGOs. The aim of the hearing was to present the Draft Curriculum and open space for discussion for all interested parties.

The CYN continues to monitor the process of intruduction of the Curriculum, together with the coalition of other civil society organizations. The coalition has been actively advocating the introduction of Civic Education into formal education system as a separate mandatory subject in elementary and high schools.
 

CYN at Round table "Employment for young people coming from social care institutions"

The round table which took place on February 22 and was organized by the SOS Children’s Village Croatia (CYN member organization), the Croatian Youth Network and Association Pragma. Opening speeches were given by the representatives of the organizers (one of them being Mirela Travar, Secretary General of the CYN), and representatives of City of Zagreb, Ministry of Labor and Pension System and Ministry of Social Policy and Youth.
Among several presenters who covered the topic from different angles, Nikola Buković of the CYN presented activities within the structured dialogue on youth unemployment, currently carried out by the CYN at its partners. Moreover, he announced further activities within the framework of this project, mainly the final conference planned for May/June, which will gather youth representatives and those of relevant scientific and public institutions aimed at achieving tangible policy change in the sphere of employment and social policies targeting youth.
 

Youth Studies' new activity

This year's Youth Studies programme, which brings together 15 participants from different social and interest areas, organized yet another activity. Participants had the oportunity to attend the course entitled The position of youth in history and today. The first lecture on the topic of "Youth in totalitarian regimes of the 20th century" was held by Hrvoje Klasić, professor of history at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at University of Zagreb. Professor Klasić told the participants the accounts of lives of young people in different countries such as Germany, Italy, Russia, Vietnam and Yugoslavia. After Professor Klasnić, producer Martin Globočnik talked about contemporary media. Her input encouraged active discussion about the problems in today's media and, pseudo-reality it creates and how this is reflected on young people.

CYN president speaks at Croatian Parliament Round Table

Croatian Parliament hosted the round table titled “After the Referendum - What is Next?” on February 7. The table was organized by GONG in order to contribute to the public discussion on Croatian integration and accession to the EU. Speakers at the Round table were: Paul Vandoren, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Croatia, Boris Šprem, President of Croatian Parliament and Berto Šalaj, President of GONG’s Council.

CYN was one of the key civil stake-holders present at the discussion, together with representatives of other civil society organisations, experts and other institutions. The president, Katarina Pavić, and Nikola Buković, programme coordinator attended.

Katarina Pavić emphasized the role of government and other institutions in ensuring that young people use as many opportunities as they can in the EU, especially in the field of mobility and education, but also expressed the need for proper measures aimed at young people who are currently neglected by the system and do not have as many possibilities. She also emphasized key roles of informing young people about the EU, as well as needs to build knowledge and skills for active participation in social and political life trough educational system.

Presentation of focus:youth Bulletin

CYN organized presented its focus:youth Bulletin at an event which took place in Zagreb on 13 January. The Bulletin was created by participants of Youth Studies - non-formal educational program of the Croatian Youth Network - which brings together 15 studentsfrom various social and interest areas. The Bulletin presents an analysis and critical reviews authored by the young participants on the topics of political and civic education, youth work and youth participation in decision-making processes. The Bulletin was presented by the participants, who were speaking about the importance of the three thematic areas for young people. The publication will soon be available in electronic form on the website of Croatian Youth Network.

Promotion of the Youth Studies Journal

It is our great pleasure to invite you to the promotion of the 4th Youth studies Journal focus: youth which will be held on Friday, January 13, 2012 at 17.00 o’clock at the Booksa café, Martićeva 14d, Zagreb.

Youth studies publication was developed through an informal educational programme organized by Croatian Youth Network. This year Studies bring together 15 students from various social and interest areas. The main aims of the programme are to: encourage young people to be active in their community and to engage in participatory processes of democracy,
build the capability to detect, analyze and articulate needs and problems of young people and to advocate sustainable solutions, encourage critical thinking about various methods, techniques and options for action in the community as well as to influence the development of youth policy and positive social change, and encourage the concrete application of knowledge in the community.

Publication presents an analysis and critical reviews by young people about the political and civic education, youth work in the community and youth participation in decision-making processes. During the promotion, the Youth studies team and participants of the Studies will present the publication.

We kindly ask you to confirm your attendance at the promotion on email monika@mmh.hr no later than January 12, 2012 (Thursday) by 16 o’clock.

Croatian Youth Network at Networking days for national youth councils in Serbia

Networking days were jointly organized by European Youth Forum and KOMS - Umbrella youth association from Serbia in Belgrade in the period December 14 - 16. The meeting brought together representatives of national youth councils founded in the recent period, or in the process of foundation from Poland, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia. Representatives from national youth councils of Slovenia, Czech Republic, Switzerland and Croatia also joined the meeting in the role of experts, as well as trainers and facilitators of the European Youth Forum, representatives of the Youth work development working group, members of the board and the president of EFY, Peter Matjašič.

The goal of the networking days was aimed to transfer experiences regarding strengthening newly founded umbrella youth associations in regards to financial and organizational sustainability, as well as to share knowledge and experiences on advocacy and lobbying.

The president of CYN, Katarina Pavić attended the meeting, presenting the practices of CYN in special regards to membership development and the development of organizational processes.

CYN empowers young trainers

The Croatian Youth Network organized a training for trainers which took place from 14 to 18 December in Zadar.

The event brought together 16 young trainiers-beginners from different parts of the country. They had the opportunity to participate in an intense educational programme covering a wide scope of topics: addiction prevention, non-formal education and learning, defining educational activities, methodology and methods in non-formal education, group dynamics, communication skills, barriers to learning, youth work and youth activism.

The training was led by Sunčana Kustirin and Danijela Jurić, members of the Platformat - CYN's pool of trainers. The training was supported by the Ministry of Family, War Veterans' Affairs and Intergenerational Solidarity in the framework of the Fight Against Addiction Month.

CYN at the 4th United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Forum in Qatar

From 10 to 14 December the Croatian Youth Network participated in the 4th United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Forum in Doha, Qatar, as part of the European Youth Forum delegation. Forum was attended by officials of many countries, representatives of civil society organizations, and numerous agencies. CYN was represented by Marko Boko, Board member responsible for international cooperation.

The most important part for the youth delegates programme took place on the first day of the Forum, when working groups presented their conclusions in a document, which was included in the final conclusions of the Forum, mainly related to youth participation in UN bodies and their impact on decision-making processes. Likewise, the themes dealt with the relationship between cultural diversity and socio-economic development and the relationship of trust and tolerance towards the development of the UN MDGs.

The rest of the Forum was dedicated to finding, developing and strengthening the tools for solving global problems, and a significant part of the Forum was devoted to the phenomena of Occupy Wall Street and the Arab spring, where the important role has been played by young activists.

The diversity and richness of the forum, as well as the participation of young people from around the globe have led to strong conclusions, which we hope will be successfully implemented by the next forum, which will be held in Vienna in 2013.
 

CYN at a seminar on volunteering

Representatives of the Croatian Youth Network took part in an international seminar "Youth volunteering in a changing Europe" in Istanbul from 22 to 26 November. The seminar was organized by the Youth for Exchange and Understanding and its partners from Turkey.
The seminar brought together some 40 participants from around 20 European countries. They had the opportunities to exchange their volunteering experiences and volunteering environments in their countries. At the end the participants made and adopted a joint declaration which will be addressed to all relevant stake-holders Europe-wide.

CYN launches: “Who's afraid of the Big Bad Crises?”

The Croatian Youth Network, together with its 7 member organizations proudly presents public launch of the above mentioned project. It came about as a result of CYN's continuous advocacy efforts in the field of youth (un)employment. Through these efforts relevant decision-makers agreed to integrate structured dialogue in the National Employment Plan 2011 – 2012, thus pawing way to the first comprehensive implementation of this relevant youth participation method on the national level. Project's web site with elaborated information can be found via following link: www.mladi-rade.net.

This project could not have materialized without support of the Ministry of Family, War Vetarans' Affairs and Intergenerational Solidarity and Youth in Action Programme, administered by the Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes.

Project includes three streams of activities. Firstly, CYN and its local partners will organize field consultations in 8 Croatian towns, encompassing about 130 young persons and about 20 representatives of relevant stake-holders in the field of labor market policy. Secondly, on-line consultations will be carried out via short questionnaire, which can be found on the project web site. Conclusively, results of field and on-line consultations will be incorporated in the final publication, which is to be presented on the national conference in May/June 2012.

If you require any sort of additional information or explanation, do not hesitate to contact Nikola Buković of the CYN at: nikolab@mmh.hr; or 01/4573-937.

Implementation of this action was supported by the  Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes within the framework of Youth in Action Programme.

CYN on the Assembly of the Union of Autonomous Trade Unions of Croatia Youth Section

On Monday, November 28, Youth Section of the UATUC held its Assembly in Zagreb. Young delegates discussed numerous topics relevant for future Sections' future works, putting special emphasis on the Work Plan for 2012. New leadership of the Youth Section was also elected, led by its new President, Ivan Blažević. CYN wishes all the luck to new leadership in the following term.

During the last part of the Assembly Nikola Buković presented CYN's experiences on building sustainable and effective youth advocacy network. Both sides expressed interest for developing future cooperation, stressing out the importance of initial meeting between representatives of CYN's and Youth Section's Managing Boards.

CYN becomes full member of the European Youth Forum

The European Youth Forum (YFJ), the platform of more than 100 youth organisations in Europe, held its Council of Members and Extraordinary Assembly from 17 to 20 November 2011 in Braga, Portugal, the 2012 European Youth Capital. At this occasion the Croatian Youth Network was admitted in full membership of YFJ. More than 180 youth delegates from all over Europe confirmed the full membership and the presentation of CYN work and strategic goals, held by President Katarina Pavić and Board member Marko Boko, was warmly welcomed.

Tea Jarc, Vice President of the National Youth Council of Slovenia, delivered a support speech for CYN.

CYN became YFJ candidate member in 2008 and this already meant recognition of CYN as a strong and relevant youth platform on the European level. Full membership in YFJ gives CYN the voting rights at YFJ statutory meetings but also further acknowledges efforts of CYN and its members in developing youth policies in Croatia.

We hope that the significance od this event and the future work of CYN as a full-fledged stakeholder at the European level will be recognised by Croatian institutions and other stakeholders in the youth field.

Croatian Youth Network in Mannheim at the training ''How to Establish a UN Youth Delegate Programme''

The Croatian Youth Network participated at a training "How to Establish a UN Youth Delegate Programme", in Mannhaim, Germany, from November 10 till November 13.

The training rounded up about 15 young people from European countries that don't yet have an established programme for UN Youth Delegates. Besides Marko Boko, CYN Managing Board member in charge of International Cooperation, at the training was also present as a participant Natalija Mirković, from the Croatian United Nations Association.

With this training, a cooperation between the CYN -- the Croatian National Youth Council and the HDUN -- member of UN Associations of Europe has been established which will ceratinly strenghten the work CYN has done so far in this field, as well as improve the efforts for establishing the programme for Croatian UN Youth Delegates. 
 

Youth represented in the Council for Social Justice to the President of the RoC

On Wednesday, October 26, an assembly of the Council of the President of the Republic of Croatia for Social Justice was held. The meeting was opened by discussion on two youth issues: financing of higher education together with a lack of scholarships for students and prevention of violence among youth within the education structure. President of the Republic of Croatia emphasized the need for reform and relief of education system together with development of quality approaches to different groups such as talented pupils. Emina Bužinkić, member nominated by the Croatian Youth Network elaborated on current challenges of civic education as well as the advocacy initiatives of civil society organizations and latest changes of legal framework in this field. Other issues were discussed too, such as: European Social Chart, pension insurance system, current legal changes etc.

Join CYN training for trainiers

The Croatian Youth Network is inviting all interesting young people from Croatia who work with young people and wish to improve their training competences to apply for the training for trainers. It will take place in Zadar in December and 15 participants will be able to work with our experienced trainers, Sunčana Kustutin and Danijela Jurić, in building their skills in youth activism and youth work methodology.

Second generation of Youth Studies

Introductory seminar at Youth Studies programme was held in Rijeka from September 25 to October 2. Intensive seminar with 15 young proactive participants had focus on three topics: Civic education, Youth work and Participation of youth in decision-making. Lectures, workshops and discussions were held by prominent academic professors, scientists, practicioners, researchers and leaders. Participants were highly motivated and informed on social issues. Until the end of the first semester, participants will be supervised while researching youth issues and advocating youth needs. Their findings and proposals will be published in 4th Youth Studies Journal.

National Conference of Youth Advisory Boards in Zadar

The Croatian Youth Network is organizing a National Conference designed for members of municipality, town or county youth advisory boards. This conference, which is taking place within framework of activities marking International Year of Youth, aims at building capacities of youth advisory boards’ members for implementing currently valid Act on Youth Advisory Boards, as well as for quality participation in activities related to process of drafting Amendments of the Act. Conference will take place in Zadar and will include 40 members of youth advisory boards from all parts of Croatia.


 

Youth Dialogue: Where are the Jobs? Generation Y Asks!

Nikola Pandurić, CYN Board member, is participating at the IMF-WB Annual Meetings in Washington D.C. On 21 September he will take part in the debate Youth Dialogue: Where are the Jobs? Generation Y Asks!.

You can follow and participate in the debate via following services:
1. Hashtag for  the youth event: #youthjobs
2. Link to the website of the youth event (live webcast): http://www.imf.org/external/AM/2011/seminars/youth/
 

CYN at the II Youth Convention on Volunteering - Volunteering is Europe’s best renewable energy!

The II Youth Convention on Volunteering was the biggest public event of civil society in the framework of the European Year on Volunteering and received the patronage of the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee.

It took place between 7 and 11 September 2011, and was composed by a Stakeholders Conference gathering all political actors and more than 50 youth organisations from all over Europe, an open village with more than 70 organisations promoting 100+ workshops on and around volunteering (V-Village), a V-cinema showing films on volunteering and around, and a series of free concerts and events in the evenings (YO! Fest).

Bringing together over 70 participants from youth organisations, civil society organisations, institutions, the overall aim of the Stakeholder Conference was to ensure that the voices of volunteers and their organisations are heard. On 7-8 September, they discussed the rights of volunteers, and commonly developed a Declaration on the Rights of the Volunteer.

CYN representatives Mirela Travar and Anamarija Sočo participated at the Convention. Anamarija Sočo had the opportunity to take part in a team which developed the Declaration draft.

CYN at the EU Youth Conference

Representatives of the Croatian Youth Network participate at EU Youth Conference and DG meeting  in Warsaw from 5 till 7 September 2011.

During three days of EU Youth Conference seven thematic working groups put forward recommendations to improve youth cooperation, intecultural learning and increase structural dialogue between the EU and  countries of Eastern Europe and Caucasus.

Conclusions of the meetings should encourage the building of social capital and intercultural relations by encouraging youth people to cooperate in field of youth in their countries and abroad.

 

Go Against the Flow in Zadar

The training “Go Against the Flow” took place in Zadar from 21 to 28 August. It was organized by the Croatian Youth Network in partnership with Klub litijskih i šmarskih študentov (Slovenia), Prijateljice and Fonadacija tuzlanske zajednice (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Svi različiti, svi ravnopravni (Serbia). Twenty participants from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia and Serbia had the opportunity to learn more about European citizenship, youth realities, volunteering, motivation, advocacy and local community projects. The training was supported by the Youth in Action programme.

Regional Experts’ Forum on youth mobility in Bihać

Croatian Youth Network, Youth Information Agency (B&H) and the Youth Program of Civic Initiatives (Serbia) organized a Regional Experts’ Forum on youth mobility in Bihać in the period 2-4 September. This forum gathered 20 experts in the field of youth mobility, youth work and youth policy. Team of experts worked on further elaboration of important elements of future regional fund for youth mobility, visual identity of the Regional Initiative for Mobility and further advocacy activities.

Similar forum will take place in Zagreb by the end of this year. More info to follow soon!
 

Participate in consultations on youth mobility in SEE region

Croatian Youth Network, Youth Information Agency (B&H) and the Youth Program of Civic Initiatives (Serbia) launched a regional initiative to promote mobility of young people in these three countries in the beginning of 2011.

After successful completion of consultations on youth mobility which took place in Belgrade, Sarajevo and Zagreb during April, young people and youth workers are invited to provide additional input for future advocacy activities. This can be done by filling-out a short questionnaire which is available on the web page of the Initiative: www.rim.mladi.info.

Consultation process will be open until October 1.

Call for Youth Studies

The Croatian Youth Network announces call for the second year of Youth Studies. Youth Studies gather 15 to 20 youth participants from Croatia between age of 15 and 30 that represent youth organizations or show high motivation for social change. This year Youth Studies will have focus on: Political education of youth, Youth work and Participation of youth in decision-making processes. The second year of Youth Studies lasts from Septmeber this year till May 2012.

The first round of consultations on the Draft of Sisak and Moslavina County Youth Programme 2011 - 2015

After two public debates which took place in Kutina and Sisak, first round of consultations on the Draft of Sisak and Moslavina County Youth Programme 2011 – 2015 was closed with series of consultations held in Novska (on July 20), Petrinja (on July 21) and Glina (on July 22). The Draft, as well as research previously undertaken for needs of its design was presented by Nikola Buković, Programme Coordinator for National and Local Youth Policy Development with the CYN.

However, on-line consultations are open untill September 1. The Draft can be found on the web page: www.smz.hr; and all comments and suggestions are welcome via e-mail address: zpm@smz.hr. Upon completion of the process of on-line consultations, Sisak and Moslavina County and the CYN, as implementing partner, will publish results of the consultative process.
 

Cast a vote for your Youth Award candidate

Online voting for the winner of the Youth Award begins today. We received 25 valid applications from individuals and youth groups.

You can find out more about the candidates at http://ukljucise.net/kandidati.html and vote for your favourite candidate. Voting is open until 4 August.

Croatian Youth Network at a Conference

Croatian Youth Network representative participated at a conference of the Croatian Network for Euro-Mediterranean entitled "Civil Society of the Mediterranean - a guarantee of dialogue and cooperation".

The conference was being held on July 14th and 15th in Zadar at IMPACT - European Center for Cross-sectoral Cooperation. The role of the coordinator of the Croatian Network for Euro-Mediterranean currently lies with the National Foundation for Civil Society development that was also the organizer of the conference. 

Subjects that were debated at the conference with both domestic and international participants were: The Role Of Media (Public, Commercial And Nonprofit) In Representing The Activities Of Active Citizenship With The Emphasis On Opposing Stereotypes And Generalizations And Advocating Social Inclusion; The Importance Of Cross-Sectoral Cooperation And Support To Active Citizenship And Organized Civil Society - Transfer Of Transitional Experiences; Artists' Mobility And Opportunities Of Cultural Exchange Improvement In The Euro-Mediterranean Area.

The conference was to discuss the role of civil society in eliminating stereotypes, promoting dialogue, knowledge and differences among cultures as well as developing tolerance.
   

Public debate on the Draft of Sisak and Moslavina County Youth Programme

Sisak and Moslavina County opened a public debate on the Draft of Sisak and Moslavina County Youth Programme in Kutina, on July 7. This debate was followed by one that took place in Sisak, on July 8, whereas the first round of the debate will be concluded with consultations in Glina, Petrinja and Novska in the period from July 20 till July 22.
The draft was presented by the Deputy to the Head of County, Andrija Rudić, who initiated the process and Nikola Buković, co-author of the Draft and research which was carried out in 2010, forming a base for evidence based policy making.

Public debate on Amendments of the Act on Youth Advisory Boards

the Croatian Youth Network organized a public debate on Amendments of the Act on Youth Advisory Boards. Emina Bužinkić and Nikola Pandurić, who represent the CYN within the Working Group for drafting the Amendments, presented course of the process itself, as well as some of the most controversial features of the text suggested by the Ministry of Family, War Veterans’ Affairs and Inter Generational Solidarity. They also presented Comments on the Amendments of the Act on Youth Advisory Boards, written by the CYN, which will be enriched by inputs from representatives of youth NGOs, youth advisory boards and local and regional governments.

The CYN will continue to inform public about further process related to this legislative initiative, as well as its advocacy activities aiming to create suitable legal framework for effective work of youth advisory boards in Republic of Croatia.
 

Second year of Youth Studies

The Croatian Youth Network announces second year of Youth Studies to be started in autumn 2011. The process of application will be initiated soon and will be announced on CYN and Youth Studies web pages. During weekend July 2nd and 3rd the meeting of Youth Studies leaders was held and selected topics for this year are: political education of youth, youth activism in community and participation of decision making processes. Youth Studies are financially supported by the City of Zagreb and Governmental Office for Human Rights.

Civic education in SEE

On Thursday June 30 a regional seminar 'Education for democratic citizenship and human rights in the region - from theory to practice' took part in the premises of the Centre for Human Rights. During the seminar, practices on integrating civic education in formal education in SEE were presented as well as the regional research on youth opinion and attitudes on education on democratic citizenship and human rights. Emina Bužinkić, CYN'  Secretary General has conducted a presentation on policy activities of integration civic education in Croatian educational system.

New strategy for civil society development

Governmental Office for Cooperation with NGOs and Council for Civil Society Development have organized consultations on shaping new national strategy for civil society development. The consultations were held on June 30th. The strategy working group shall be founded by middle July and the document shall be finished by the end of the year 2011. Emina Bužinkić, CYN's Secretary General took part in consultation.

GONG's annual award for civic activism and democracy development

On July 1, within facilities of the Croatian Journalists’ Association NGO GONG awarded their second annual reward for civic activism and democracy development. This years’ award went to civic initiative: “Srđ je naš!“, which has effectuated timely and successful public advocacy campaign against misuse of public spaces to the benefits of private investors, all in cooperation with local authorities. We extend our congratulations to the winning initiative, as well as to other nominees.

This occasion was also used to present publication which came about as a result of research undertaken in 2010 by team of researches which dealt will level of political literacy among Croatian high school students, as well as to attitudes towards the EU. Publication entitled: “Does school raise good citizens?“, will be a valuable tool for all those interested in related topics, as well as for those engaged in public advocacy initiatives related to introduction of democratic citizenship education in formal curricula.

Public debate on amendments of the Act on Youth Advisory Boards

On Wednesday, July 6, the Croatian Youth Network is organizing a public debate on amendments of the Act on Youth Advisory Boards. This public debate will take place within facilities of the Zagreb Centre for Independent Culture and Youth - POGON, from 12:00 till 14:00. The CYN was one of the most prominent advocates of the original (and still valid) Act on Youth Advisory Boards and this is an additional effort to include wider public in debate on how to improve position and work of youth advisory boards in local and regional communities.

CYN launches annual youth award

The Croatian Youth Network opened a call for nominations for the newly established annual youth reward called Get Involved! The aim of the prize is to encourage more active youth participation in social processes and to reward the immense contribution of young people in building communities. The reward is instituted in cooperation with the Ministry of Family, War Veterans' Affairs and Intergenerational Solidarity. The winner will be chosen by public vote and the decision of a jury.

"Go against the Flow" recruiting participants

Croatian Youth Network has an open call for participants aged 18 to 29 in “Go against the Flow” training supported by the Youth in Action programme. The training is implemented in partnership with Klub litijskih in šmarskih študentov (Slovenia), Prijateljice and Fondacija tuzlanske zajednice (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Svi različiti, svi ravnopravni (Serbia). The training will be held from 21 to 28 August 2011 in Zadar (Croatia). It will bring together 20 young people from the four partner countries.

National Committee for the Development of Volunteering meets

The ninth meeting of the National Committee for the Development of Volunteering took place on 15 June with several important issues on the agenda. The members were informed of the implementation of the joint activities in celebration of the European Year of Volunteering.

The Committee also announced its plans to start drafting a national programme for the development of volunteering. CYN representative Anamarija Sočo has been nominated as a member of the working group which will propose a programme structure. The entire programme is expected to be drafted by the end of 2012.

National Committee for education for human rights and democratic citizenship meets to discuss curriculum

The forth meeting of the National Committee for education for human rights and democratic citizenship took place on 14 June. The meeting was the occasion for the presentation of the draft curriculum for Civic education which will be integrated into the formal education system the next school year. The Committee plans to complete the curriculum by the end of June and the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports announced an online public discussion.

Public discussion on amendments to the Act on Youth Advisory Boards

The Ministry of Family, War Veterans’ Affairs and Intergenerational Solidarity organized on 14 June a public discussion on the proposed amendments to the Act on Youth Advisory Boards. CYN brought forth its proposals and will organize a related consultation event with its member organizations and partners by the end of the month. The key problem areas include: typology of advisory activities, use of terminology which is common in the youth sector, manner of electing members, mandate, scope of activities and commitment of local and regional governments to uphold the law.
 
The invitation for online public consultations on the proposed amendments will be posted on the Ministry’s website – www.mobms.hr.
 

Changes in the CYN leadership

Some 50 representatives of member organizations participated in the work of the Extraordinary Thematic Assembly of the Croatian Youth Network which took place in Biograd na Moru on 11 June.

The CYN Assembly voted on some changes in the leadership structure. The new president, with the mandate till spring 2013, is Katarina Pavić (Clubture), formerly vice-president in charge of national youth policy development. This position is now entrusted to Ivan Vuk, representative of KRIK association. Other Board members in this mandate remain: Denis Sgagliardi (ZUM) – development of local youth policies, Marko Boko (JEF) – international cooperation, and Nikola Pandurić (KVARK) – capacity-raising for youth organizations.

From 1 July the position of Secretary General will be taken over by Mirela Travar. Emina Bužinkić, present Secretary General leaves her duty on 30 June.

Three new organizations became candidate members: Centar Idem i ja (Mali Lošinj), MAK (Koprivnica) and TEST (Zagreb). The organizations may apply for full membership after one year, at the earliest.

The Assembly meeting was also an occasion for joint planning of activities for the International Youth Day, 12 August.
 

CYN Assembly 2011

The Extraordinary Assemby of the Croatian Youth Network is to take place in Biograd na moru, on 11 June 2011. The one-day programme foresees elections for vice-president of the Managing Board in charge of the national youth policy programme, election of new member organizations, presentation of cooperation programmes of member organizations and a joint planning session for the International Youth Day.

The Croatian Youth Network at the Austrian Ambassador’s reception

Nikola Buković as a representative of the CYN took part in the reception organized on June 6 by Jan Kickert, Austrian Ambassador in Croatia. Reception was meant as a networking and experience exchange between representatives of Austrian social partners (employers, trade unions and chambers of labour) and representatives of targeted Croatian NGOs. Topics discussed during this informal gathering were Croatian readiness to close accession negotiations with the EU, level of workers’ rights in Croatia, environmental protection, quality of social dialogue and etc.

Study visit on social inclusion of youth

Within the project "Equal opportunities for all young people!" 12 NGO representatives and 12 representatives of local authorities from Croatia (Zagreb, Ozalj, Vodnjan,  Solin), Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina participated in a study visit in Berlin. The aim of the study visit was to improve the cooperation between NGOs and the authorities and to learn about European policies for social inclusion. During the study visit Thomas Geisler held training about socially excluded young people, Susanne Pozek presented the work of the organization Kulturbewegt, the participants visited the organization Ausgleich and the organization Berufliches Qualifizierungsnetwerk für Migrantinnen und Migranten and Federal Ministry for Family, retirees, women and youth. Monika Rajković (Croatian Youth Network), Manager of this Project in Croatia, attended the study visit.

EUphoria in Rijeka

On Monday May 23, the Secretary General of CYN Emina Bužinkić held a lecture 'EUphoria - education of youth and european integration'. The lecture was organized at the Faculty of Philosophy in Rijeka for pedagogy students and proffesors. Focus of the lecture is youths view of european integration and expectations from educational process once Croatia becomes an EU member. Discussion has been structured along youth values, influence of education on youth and expectations from the EU.

Round table on Croatia EU accession

On Monday, May 23, Heinrich Böll Stiftung and Open Society Institute jointly organized a round table, entitled: “The end of negotiations with the European Union: a step forward or a step apart?” This round table, which took place within facilities of Novinarski dom Zagreb, was divided into two panels. The first one, entitled: “A Step Forward or A Step Apart?“ dealt with readiness of Republic of Croatia to become 28th member state of the EU in light of its considerable economic downturn, low popular support for the accession and questionable administrative capacity to carry out necessary reforms. Second panel, entitled: “Chapter 23 – Judiciary and fundamental rights“, focused on the most controversial chapter of the negotiation process, which will largely determine its closure, as well as the date of Croatia’s full membership in the EU.

Nikola Buković, and national youth policy coordinator with the CYN, took part in the event.
 

CYN in Slavonski Brod on activism and youth policy

As a part of the European Week, European House Slavonski Brod organized a national youth meeting. Mirela Travar, member of CYN Managing Board and Nikola Buković, local and national youth policy coordinator, took part in the event. On Saturday, May 21 they held a lecture entitled: “Activism and youth policy: a postcard from Croatia”.

Okrugli stol o ulasku Hrvatske u EU

U ponedjeljak, 23. svibnja u zajedničkoj organizaciji njemačke političke zaklade Heinrich Böll te Zaklade Otvoreno društvo, održan je međunarodni okrugli stol: „Kraj pregovora s Europskom unijom: iskorak ili raskorak?“ Okrugli stol, koji je održan u Novinarskom domu Zagreb, bio je podijeljen u dva panela: prvi, pod nazivom: „Iskorak ili raskorak?“ pokušao je kroz širu sliku sagledati pripremljenost Republike Hrvatske za članstvo u EU, posebno u kontekstu ekonomske krize, niske javne potpore pristupanju, upitnih kapaciteta javne uprave da odgovori izazovima članstva i slično. Drugi panel, nosio je naziv: „Poglavlje 23 – pravosuđe i temeljna prava“, usmjerio se konkretno najkontroverznije poglavlje o kojem uvelike ovisi i datum završetka pristupnih pregovora RH s Europskom unijom. Posebnan je značaj pridan i inicijativi koalicije 15 organizacija civilnog društva koje su iznijele svoje zajedničko mišljenje o (ne)spremnosti RH da spomenuto poglavlje zatvori, zahtjevajući među ostalim i osnivanje nadzornog mehanizma koji bi pratio provedbu zakonodavnog okvira u području poglavlja 23 u periodu nakon zatvaranja tog poglavlja.

Na okruglom je stolu ispred MMH sudjelovao Nikola Buković, koordinator programa nacionalnih i lokalnih politika za mlade.
 

CYN at the European Youth Week

The European Youth Week was held for the fifth time in Brussels from 15 to 21 May.  It brought together over 150 participants from across Europe. Its central theme was the process of structured dialogue and its evaluation. The process of structured dialogue was carefully evaluated by representatives of European national youth councils, and in a few workshops participants came to new conclusions that will be implemented in the continuation of the process, with the aim of improving and expanding in other countries.

The programme of the European Youth Week was extremely beneficial for the Croatian Youth Network since Croatia is not a member of the European Union and is therefore not fully involved in the structured dialogue. Work of the Croatian Youth Network related to the structured dialogue was presented to other participants along with the presentation of the Youth Policy Backpack publications.

The Croatian Youth Network has for the first time participated in the European Youth Week, and its representative was Marko Boko, a Board member in charge of international cooperation.

Conference on the implementation of JIM/JAP process

On May 16 and May 17, conference on further implementation of Joint Inclusion Memorandum (JIM) and Joint Assessment of the Employment Policy Priorities of the Republic of Croatia (JAP) took place in Zagreb. Both documents have been developed within the framework of European Union Pre-accession Strategy for the Republic of Croatia and signed in Brussels between high representatives of Republic of Croatia and the European Commission.
This conference was also a joint effort of two Croatian ministries: Ministry of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship and Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, which received significant support by the Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities of the European Commission.
Conference covered a number of topics relevant for further successful implementation of JIM/JAP process: measures undertaken by public entities in charge of their implementation, quality of social dialogue, influence of economic crisis on meeting the goals set by documents and etc. Importantly, participants of this conference had an ample opportunity to acquaint themselves with wider EU context which underpins this process: namely Europe 2020 strategy, strongly defined by its open method of coordination between national and supranational authorities. Conference also fostered a rather practical dimension, through presentation of projects developed within Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) scheme, as well as fashion exhibition, preformed by associations “Slap” and “Zvono”, also beneficiaries of the scheme.

Nikola Buković, coordinator of National and Local Youth Policy programmes, participated in the conference on behalf of the CYN.
 

CYN PoT empowers young trainers

The secont module of the Training for Trainers organized by the CYN and the Centre for Peace Studies took place in Zagreb from 13 to 15 May.
Sixteen educators in formal and non-formal education field had the opportunity to work on raising their competences in participatory methodology in training and youth work.
The training was led by two CYN trainers - members of the CYN Pool of trainers.

CYN at the European Youth Forum Council of Members

The European Youth Forum Council of Members (COMEM) met in Antwerp in Belgium, from 5 to 8 May 2011. The meeting gathered more than 150 delegates from over 100 member organisations. It was organised by the European Youth Forum and the City of Antwerp, which is flagged as the European Youth Capital of 2011. During COMEM, CYN and Mladinski svet Slovenije organized a thematic square for member organisations on the topic of youth participation and active citizenship. The thematic sqaure was also an opportunity to present the Youth Policy Backpack project and its publications. The Croatian Youth Network was represented by Emina Bužinkić, the Secretary General and Marko Boko, Board member in charge of international cooperation.

Youth Policy Backpack in Vukovar

After 12 towns, the Youth Policy Backpack tour visited Vukovar on 6 May.
CYN met with Youth Peace Group Danube - its member organization - and presented the Youth Policy Backpack project and the publications.
The event was also an opportunity to discuss the realites of youth participation in the Vukovar and Srijem County and some of the challenges which youth organizations face - the work of youth advisory boards and the cooperation with local governments.

focus:youth in Osijek

The focus:youth project kicked off on 5 May in Osijek. The project is implemented by the Croatian Youth Network and the City of Zagreb Students' Council. The aim is to encourage young people for active participation on local level and to foster dialogue between youth and decision-makers.
The Osijek event gathered some 30 high-school students who took part in a workshop which focused on active youth participation, and in a discussion which aimed at presenting opportunities and challenges for youth participation in the Osijek and Baranja County.
The event was organized with the help of the Youth Advisory Board of the Osijek and Baranja County.

Regional Network for the promotion of social inclusion of young people is formed in Sarajevo

Representatives of organizations from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, which are partners in project “Equal opportunities for all young people!”, met in Sarajevo from 19 to 22 April. The goal of the meeting was signing the agreement on joining the Network for the promotion of social inclusion of young people.
The aim of the Network is to raise awareness about the importance of social inclusion policies, as well as to promote better informing of young people about the possibilities of social engagement. The meeting was an opportunity for the Network members to share details on the project in their respective countries, agree on the manner of implementation of project activities and share their experiences in working with young people.
The meeting was attended by Monika Rajković, from Croatian Youth Network and representatives from partner organizations participating in this project: association DUGA (Solin), LAG Vallis Colapis (Ozalj) and association Studio 52 215 (Vodnjan).
 

"A Million Signatures for RECOM" Campaign goes on

If you are a national of Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro or Kosovo you can join the campaign by signing the online petition in support of the foundation of an independent, international, regional commission tasked with establishing the facts about all victims of the wars waged in the period 1991-2011. You can sign the petition here. You can also join the RECOM Facebook group here.

 

Youth Policy Backpack on tour

The Croatian Youth Network and the National Youth Council of Slovenia visited 11 Croatian towns and 12 youth organizations, and presented three publications which are the main outputs of the Youth Policy Backpack project.

In the course of three days, from 27 to 29 April, three teams made of Croatian-Slovenian duos, visited CYN member organizations and other local organizations with the aim of presenting and disseminating the publication, but also to open discussions on some topics wich are relevant on the local level: finding and sustainability of youth organizations, cooperation with local authorities, the work of youth advisory boards, the lack of infrastrucutre for youth, etc.  The meetings also provided opportunity for partnership-buiilding and intensifying cooperation between CYN and its members.

More presentations follow. We will visit Vukovar on 6 May, and three local presentation in Slovenia are to take place on 10 May.

Youth Policy Backpack na turneji

Mreža mladh Hrvatske i Mladinski svet Slovenije su od 27. do 29. travnja posjetili 11 gradova i 12 organizacija mladih u sklopu promocije publikacija koje su nastale u projektu Youth Policy Backpack.

Cilj projekta Youth Policy Backpack je okupiti mlade koji su aktivni u procesima politike za mlade iz cijele Europe kako bi razmijenili znanja i iskustva u razvijanju tog područja. Projekt potiče suradnju organizacija mladih u Europi i prenosi relevantne alate i znanja među organizacijama kako bi se ojačala njihova uloga u izgradnji zajednica. Kao produkt aktivnosti projekta (konferencija i trening) nastale su tri publikacije koje pokrivaju široko područje sudjelovanja mladih na europskoj, nacionalnoj i lokalnoj razini.

Tijekom tri dana, tri tima sastavljena od hrvatsko-slovenskog para prezentirali su projekt u Varaždinu, Čakovcu, Petrinji, Splitu, Kaštelima, Kninu, Osijeku, a posjetili smo i Donji Miholjac, Slatinu, Belišće i Bršadin. Lokalne organizacije bile su su-organizatori prezentacija: VUK, Autonomni centar, K.R.I.D., Info zona, Trokut mladih Kaštela, HUK i Info centar Osijek. S nekoliko organizacija održali smo informativne sastanke i uručili im publikacije: KRIK, Migra, Centar mladih Belišće, Volonterski centar Osijek i Klub mladih Bršadin.

Cilj događanja je bio što šire prezentirati i diseminirati publikacije u sektoru mladih i među drugim dionicima, ali i pokrenuti diskusiju o raznim pitanjima koja su relevantna organizacijama na lokalnoj razini. Razgovaralo se o izazovima s kojima se suočavaju organizacije mladih: nedostatak financiranja, održivost organizacija, suradnja s lokalnim vlastima, uključenost u donošenje odluka, rad savjeta mladih, suradnja s drugim orgnaizacijama, nedostatak lokalne infrastrukture za mlade i slično. Prezentacije su također bile prilika za iniciranje ideja za nove projekte i intenziviranje suradnje Mreže i njezinih članica.

Pred nama su daljnje prezentacije. U Vukovaru smo 6. svibnja, a tri lokalne prezentacije u Sloveniji (Maribor, Piran, Litija) održat će se 10. svibnja.

Kick-off meeting of YFJ Working Group on Volunteering

Eight members of the European Youth Forum (YFJ) Working Group on Volunteering, representing YFJ member organizations, met for the first time in Brussels from 15 to 17 April. The Croatian Youth Network is also represented in the Group via its representative Anamarija Sočo.

This Working Group meeting aimed at developing a draft outline for the YFJ Charter on the Rights of Volunteers,  based on the European framework for the rights of the volunteer, in consideration of the outcomes of the YFJ data collection on Volunteering, to be presented and discussed during the Policy Commission at the YFJ spring COMEM 2011. The outcomes of the debate will be the foundation for the first draft Charter, that will be open for consultation of Members in May and June 2011, to be adopted at the YFJ COMEM in November 2011.

The meeting was led by Falko Mohrs, YFJ Board member, and Magdalena Kurz, policy officer for participation. Group members firt got acquainted with the European dimension of volunteering and the context of the European Year of Volunteering. Then followed the process of giving inputs for the draft outline od the Charter and contributions to the advocacy strategy.

The next meeting of the Working Group on Volunteering will take place in July.

National consultations on regional youth mobility in Zagreb and Sarajevo

National consultations on regional youth mobility, which are integral parts of the project “Advocating the Regional Youth Mobility Fund“, supported by the Robert Bosch Stiftung, took place in Zagreb and Sarajevo.

Consultations in Zagreb were organized on April 21. About 30 participants coming from youth NGOs, local and national public entities responsible for youth mobility and representatives of students’ university councils actively participated in consultations. Consultations aimed to gather inputs in three particular programme areas of the future fund: fields of mobility which should be mostly supported by the Fund, types of activities which should be in the focus of its work and finally, target groups (within youth population) which should receive majority of financial allocation.

Consultations in Sarajevo were structured in a similar way and also included about 30 representatives of numerous relevant stake holders working in the field of youth mobility. They took place in on April 26.

Written conclusion from all three national consultations (Belgrade, Zagreb, and Sarajevo) will be published shortly on the website of the Regional Initiative for Youth Mobility: www.rim.mladi.info.  This website will also contain a questionnaire which should enable all those who could not physically participate in consultations to give their inputs for the model of fund which should foster youth mobility between Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia.
 

"A Million signatures for RECOM" Campaign kicks off

A simultaneous action called the "Regional Defrosting" in Zagreb, Sarajevo, Ljubljana, Belgrade, Banja Luka, Prishtina, Skopje and Podgorica kicked off the biggest regional campaign whose goal is collecting one million signatures of support to the foundation of an independent, international, regional commission tasked with establishing the facts about all victims of the wars waged in the period 1991-2011 on the territory of the former Yugoslavia as well as about all gross violations of human rights committed during or in connection with said wars. Thousands of young volunteers across the region join efforts to mobilize people from seven countries to give their support to this initiative. To find out more go to the official RECOM initiative website.

 

Young Mediators' Club from Sisak successfully continue their work

Young Mediators' Club of the Sisak high-school presented their activities in an event which took place on 19 April. CYN supported the foundation of the Club through a last year's project which aimed at introducing peer mediation in schools and which provided training for teachers and students in mediation and non-violent conflict resolution.

Students and teachers presented their activities and their ethical code. CYN's Emina Bužinkić presented to the participants their certificates of participation. The Club's work was applauded by the Mayor, school principle and other teachers and students.
 

CYN joins celebration on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of ERYICA

Mirela Travar, CYN Board member, participated at the international coference in Opatija, 16-17 April, which marked the 25th anniversary of ERYICA – European Youth Information and Conselling Agency. The occasion also marked the European Youth Information Day which is celebrated across Europe every year on 17 April. On that date in 1990 ERYICA Assembly adopted the Charter on Youth Informing.

The conference brought together representatives from most European countries which deal with youth informing, as well as representatives of Croatian intitutions in charge of youth.
 

CYN representatives attended seminar on international development assistance

The Center for Peace Studies, Human Rights House Zagreb and Austrian-based Trialog Association organized a seminar on the role of civil society organizations in providing international development assistance, which took place on 7-8 April in Zagreb.

The aim of the seminar was to introduce civil society organization with a system of providing development assistance within the European Union, funding opportunities and models of self-organization. The first day of the seminar the participants were introduced to the system of providing development assistance, both in the Republic of Croatia and the European Union, and the second day of the seminar was dedicated to discussion and taking the initial steps about creating a platform for organizations providing development aid.

The seminar was very productive and future meetings are already settled, where the project will be presented to other interested organizations, which will try to ensure the best possible stability of the platform and the most efficiently work.



 

Consultations on the Regional Mobility Initiative Fund in Belgrade

Croatian Youth Network, Youth Information Agency (B&H) and the Youth Program of Civic Initiatives (Serbia) launched a regional initiative to promote mobility of young people in these three countries. As a part of activities within the Initiative the first national consultations in Serbia, Belgrade 7 April were held.

Katarina Pavic, vice president of CYN participated at the consultations, along with partners. Besides Pavic, introduction speeches were given by Jan Zlatan Kulenovic (OIA, Executive Director) and Maja Stojanović (GIYP, coordinator).

The consultation brought together about 40 representatives of youth organizations from all parts of Serbia, from all areas of activities of youth organizations, as well as representatives of newly founded Serbian Youth Umbrella organization. Consultation was initiated in order to map the needs of young people with regards to establishment of a fund, which would encourage mobility among young people in these three countries.

Apart from representatives of youth sector, consultations were attended by representatives of state administration in Serbia (Aleksandar Radak, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the RS; Aleksandra MitrovićKnežević, Ministry of Youth and Sports of the RS; Nataša Savić Janjić, Office for European Integration of RS; Jelica Ristić Ćirović, Ministry of Education and Science of RS, as well as representatives from local Youth Offices of the City of Belgrade and the Municipality of Obrenovac).

In the discussion that lasted several hours the need for establishment of a fund that would provide permanent, long term and sustainable solution to mobility among young people was presented, as well as examples of successful mechanisms in Europe that encourage youth mobility. Participants gave valuable examples of how they practice encouragement of mobility and exchanges through the activities of their organizations, as well as provided suggestions regarding potential future activities of the fund, and target user groups.

Consultation process is continuing with national consultations in Zagreb, that will take place on April 21st, as well as in Sarajevo on April 26 2011. In parallel, proposals for the fund will be collected through on-line survey.
 

National Consultations on Youth Mobility in South Eastern Europe

Croatian Youth Network, Civic Initiatives from Serbia and Youth Information Agency from Bosnia and Herzegovina are pleased to open call for participants of National Consultations on Youth Mobility in South Eastern Europe. The consultations are integral part of Regional Initiative for Mobility – RIM; joint advocacy endeavour undertaken by these three organizations.
Consultations will take place in Human Rights House Zagreb, Selska cesta 112c, on 21 April, starting at 13:00. For all additional information, please contact Nikola Buković (nikolab@mmh.hr) or Emina Bužinkić (emina@mmh.hr). Additional information is also available on phone number: 01/4573 – 937.
 

7th Session of the Council for Civil Society Development

The session was held on Friday, March 25th in Zagreb. Katarina Pavić, vice-president of Croatian youth Network attended the meeting. Main topics discussed at this point were:
presentation of the draft document on regulations considering co-financing EU projects lead by civil society organizations in 2011, and presentation of the action plan for creating a new national strategy to create an enabling environment for civil society development in the period 2012 - 2016.

In addition to these important topics, CYN has proposed two more topics as a  supplement on the agenda: reaction of the Council considering introduction of Civic Education into the formal educational system, and reactions of the Council, as well as reactions of the Office for Cooperation with NGOs considering implementation of Law on Associations, on levels offices of state administration.
 

CYN hosts young activists from Kosovo

On March 23 the Croatian Youth Network hosted a delegation consisting of five young activists from Kosovo that are currently in Croatia in a study visit.
The Kosovo delegation is a part of the Prishtina Youth Center that recently started implementing a very important advocacy project of increasing youth participation in decision making processes by advocating for the implementation of the Law on Youth Empowerment. Within the said project is this study visit to Croatian NGOs and other relevant stakeholders organized which includes the Croatian Youth Network as a relevant organization with a rich experience on projects such as the one that the Pristina Youth Center is currently implementing.
The Croatian Youth Network presented its work to the delegation, primarily its advocacy activities and its experiences in advocating for the Youth Councils Act. 
 

CYN representative speaks on youth advisory boards in Split

Public forum "How Youth Advisory Board advise?" was organized on 21 March by Info zona in collaboration with the Youth Advisory Board of the City of Split in order to introduce the Split Youth Advisory Board to the public and present the legal framework.
Invited speakers were: Deputy Mayor Anđelka Visković, president of the Youth Advisory Board of the City of Split Marijo Popović and Cvijeta Senta, President of the Supervisory Board of Croatian Youth Network.
Cvijeta Senta presented the Law on Youth Advisory Boards and pointed to its critical points through the experience of the Youth Advisory Board of the City of Zagreb.
Youth Advisory Board of the City of Split was presented to the public together with their motivation while the deputy mayor expressed full support to the work of the Advisory Board.
 

Alliance Operation City elects new leadership

On Monday, March 14th the Assembly of the Alliance Operation City was held in the premises of the Pogon - Zagreb Centre for Independent Culture and Youth. Elected president is Miljenka Biljevac, elected Board Members are: Emina Višnić, Petra Zanki, Sanji Burlovic, Tomislav Medak and Nikola Buković on behalf of the Croatian Youth Network.

CYN PoT on youth advisory boards

Youth Advisory Board of Karlovac County organized a lecture on 15 March entitled „Youth Advisory Boards in local communities“ for its members and other interested individuals from local municipalities and local youth advisory boards. Nikola Pandurić, a member of the pool of trainers of Croatian Youth Network „platFORMATrenera“ held a two-hour lecture and answered questions from 20 young active people working in youth advisory boards.

CYN at the Networking Days in Bosnia and Hercegovina

European Youth Forum organized Networking Days in Bosnia and Hercegovina from 10 to 13 March on the Jahorina near Sarajevo. Some 40 youth representatives from youth-lead and youth work oriented organizations from the entire country participated in the event. They were accompanied by international guests from national youth councils in the region and Europe who transferred their knowledge and experience in national networking with a goal to encourage networking of youth-led and youth work oriented organizations in the Federation region and at a national level of BiH. Croatian Youth Network was represented at the event by Nikola Pandurić.

National Youth Council for Serbia

From 10 to 13 March the National Youth Council of Serbia (KOMS) held the Constituent Assembly on the Mount Tara in the Republic of Serbia. This act ended the long and arduous process of establishing a national youth council. The Assembly consisted of a two-day workshop, where participants worked on the future structure and program of KOMS, followed by the election of working and administrative bodies of KOMS. With hundreds of delegates and representatives of Serbian non-governmental youth organizations, the meeting was attended by State Secretary of Ministry of Youth and Sports Ivana Kovačević and a number of foreign guests, among which was Peter Matjašič, President of the European Youth Forum. The Croatian Youth Network was represented by Marko Boko, a Board Member in charge of International Affairs, who presented the formation and work of the organization. At the workshops, he presented good practices from Croatia and also had participated in the model developing for future structure of KOMS.

Children and young people in alternative care

The SOS Children`s Village Croatia and the Forum for quality foster care presented in Zagreb on 10 March a publication entitled "Children and young people in alternative care". The publication was presented by Andreja Rosandić of the SOS Children`s village Croatia and other speakers included Višnja Tuškan-Krupić, natonal director of the SOS Children`s Village Croatia, Eva Husak Bačac, president of the Forum for quality foster care, and Marinka Bakula, representative of the City of Zagreb's Office for social care and persons with disabilities. Monika Rajković attended the promotion on behalf of the Croatian Youth Network.

Bring it ON! training took place in Donja Stubica

Croatian Youth Network organized, in cooperation with the National Youth Council of Slovenia, the Bring it ON! training which took place in Donja Stubica from 2 to 6 March. The training a part of a year-long project entitled "Youth Policy Backpack" which brings together young people from the youth sector across Europe with the aim of learning and knowledge exchange on the topic of youth policy.
Twenty participants from Croatia and Slovenia participated at the training. In the course of three days they had an opportunity to share experiences of working in youth sectors in both countries, and learn more about youth participation, adovacy and decision-making processes.

CYN organized meeting of youth clubs’, youth centres’ and youth info centres’ representatives

On March 4 within the facilities of Youth Centre On Gaza in Karlovac, meeting of youth clubs’, youth centres’ and youth info centres’ representatives took place. It was organized by the Croatian Youth Network and its member organization Domaći and supported by the Ministry of Family, War Veterans and Intergenerational Solidarity. Meeting encompassed three basic issues: firstly, need for consistent and transparent criteria in terms of content and terminology regarding activities of youth clubs, centres and info centres; secondly, need for transparent criteria regarding financial support to these types of youth associations; thirdly, possibility for further networking and cooperation among them.

About 30 participants coming from all parts of Croatia concluded that this meeting was a good way to initiate further processes of cooperation and advocacy in this field. Also, need to support efforts of the CYN have been recognized and future activities are to happened through wider cooperation of the national youth council and youth clubs, centres and info centres. This activity was organized as an integral part of the International Year of Youth.
 

Youth Activism – Why not?

On March 3 Croatian Youth Network participated in the activity of its member organization Poligraf, entitled: “Get involved-participate!”. The event which took place within the facilities of the Faculty of Political Science in Zagreb included a set of lectures on democracy, citizenship, role of civil society in democratic processes (with special emphasis on current political situation in Croatia) and youth activism. However, event was also an opportunity for about 15 NGOs to present their work to future political scientist and journalists, offering them wide range of volunteering and participation possibilities.

Nikola Buković, Programme Coordinator with the CYN held a lecture entitled: “Youth Activism – Why not?”. Him and member of the CYN Managing Board Marko Boko presented also presented our organization to interested students.
 

Civic education in Croatian schools - National Committee on Human Rights Education meets

3rd Meeting of the National Committee for Human rights and Democratic Citizenship Education was held on 25 February within the premises of the Government of the RoC. Thematic framework was set around Proposal on planned activities on introducing civic education to Croatian Schools and informing on human rights education within Center for Professional training of officers, the Academy of Local Democracy, the Police Academy, and the Judicial Academy. Additionally, working process on the Law on the Croatian Qualifications Framework was announced. The prospective Law will address areas of human rights and democratic citizenship through formal, formal and informal learning.

After the presentation of the plan of activities for introducing civic education into Croatian schools at the meeting of the Committee held on 09 February,
the Croatian Youth Network has together with the Centre for Peace Studies and number of civil society organizations and institutions submitted document with proposals and comments.

The introduction of civic education in the formal education system was scheduled for September 2011.

National Committee for the Development of Volunteering meets again

The 8th Meeting of the National Committee for the Development of Volunteering was held on 25 February at the Ministry of Family, War Veterans' Affairs and Intergenerational Solidarity.
The agenda had several points:
1. Updating activities within measures targeting volunteering defined in the Operational Plan of the Implementation of the National Strategy for the Development of Civil Society,
2. Presenting conclusions of the meeting of the Commission for the marking of the European Year of Volunteering.
3. Presenting Croatian Emloyment Agency's project "Youth in the Labour Market".

Third training module for Active Citizens

The third Active Citizens traning module was held in Karlovac, 19-29 February. The Active Citizens programme is implemented world-wide by the British Council, and in Croatia it is implemented in cooperation with the Croatian Youth Network.
24 active individuals from civil society organizations, schools and public institutions from Sisak and Moslavina County and Karlovac County had an opportunity to plan together social action projects they wish to carry out in their communities. They also explored the topic of public advocacy with the aim of securing wider support for their project ideas.
Coming up next in the programme is the phase of fund-raising and project implementation, and sharing experiences and learning with other Active Cizizens communities in Europe.

Croatian Youth Network at a congress in Turkey

Croatian Youth Network took part at the "CSOs challenge public authorities- From political commitment to active dialogue" in Istanbul 11 and 12 February. The congress was organised by the European Movement International and is supported by the European Commission and Turkish Secretariat General for the EU Affairs. The main goal was to bring together the authorities and representatives of civil society organisations of the EU candidate and potential candidate countries to exchange views and experiences on civil dialogue. The congress was attended by civil society organizations from candidate countries, members of national governments and parliaments and European institutions’ representatives. In addition to the plenaries and discussions, the programme provided parallel workshops in two groups on standards for open governments, and CSOs and local cooperation.
Croatian Youth Network presented the project „Equal opportuinties for all young people!“, which is implemented in partnership between CYN, organistion KULT from Bosnia and Hercegovina, organisation  ALFA from Serbia, and European Interculutral Forum from Germany.

 

Meeting of youth clubs, centres and info centres

CYN in cooperation with local member organization Domaći from Karlovac is organizing meeting of representatives of youth clubs, youth centres and youth info centres. Meeting will take place in Karlovac, on 4 March. It will deal with relevant topics such as criteria of financial support for youth clubs, centres and info centres, quality of their work and outreach. It will also address possibility of mutual cooperation and networking.

CYN on consultations about financial functioning of NGOs

Office for cooperation with NGOs of the Republic of Croatia organized on 15th of February counseling in finances and accounting, planning and reporting and the tax system for NGOs. Counseling took place in the Great Hall of the Croatian Association of Technological Culture in Zagreb. In the overfilled hall presentations were given by Ivana Jakir Bajo Head of Directorate for State budget execution and a member of the Council for the Development of Civil Society and mr.sc. Marija Zuber, counselor-editor in Accounting and Finances magazine. Croatian Youth Network took part in the counseling through Emina Buzinkic, Katarina Pavic and Nikola Panduric. Presentations from the counseling are available, send us a mail at info@mmh.hr.

Conference: "Youth Unemployment: a marginalized priority?"

On 31 January within the facilities of the Croatian Parliament CYN organized a conference on youth position in the labour market entitled: “Youth Unemployment: a marginalized priority?” It was attended by around 50 participants, including experts on labour market policies, representatives of public entities in charge measures and activities of employment policies targeting youth, trade unions, employers' and craftsman associations, academia, youth NGOs and etc.

This conference was also an opportunity to present and discuss position paper of the Croatian Youth Network entitled: “Youth Employment and Labour Market Reform”. Most of the participants were involved in high-quality debate that followed the presentation, emphasizing number of aspects in which this document could be improved.

This activity is an introduction in the structured dialogue on youth unemployment which will be in 2011.carried out through cooperation of the Croatian Youth Network, Ministry of Family, War Veterans and Intergenerational Solidarity, Croatian Employment Agency and number of other relevant stake holders.

 

Importante notice regarding the conference on youth unemployment!

Due to limited capacities of the conference hall (in the Croatian Parliament) in which conference on youth unemployment will be held, organizer may be forced to close application process before the deadline which was listed in the original call (January 26, 17:00). We kindly ask you to acknowledge this notification!

Conference on Youth Unemployment

The Croatian Youth Network is organizing a conference on youth unemployment in the Croatian Parliament, on 31 January 2011. If you have interest for participation, please contact Nikola Buković, Project Manager, via e-mail: nikolab@mmh.hr or cell phone: 099/6655-447. Deadline for applications is 26 January, 17:00.

Workshop on Non-formal Education in Youth NGOs

On January 21 the Croatian Youth Network is holding a workshop entitled: “Non-formal Education” which is aimed at raising capacity of youth organizations in that field. This workshop will be conducted by Martina Horvat and Lidija Burić, members of the CYN’s Pool of Trainers.

 

Happy holidays!

We would like to inform you that CYN's office will be closed from 24 December 2010 till 10 January 2011 for holidays.

We wish you happy holidays and all the best in 2011!

CYN presents its work to Youth Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina

On 20 December CYN presented its work and participation in developing youth policies to the Commission for coordination of youth matters of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The meeting was held in Zagreb in premises of the Ministry of Family, War Veterans' Affairs and Intergenerational Solidarity. CYN was represented by: Nikola Pandurić, President, Marko Boko, Board Member and Vice-president of  JEF, Marina Živković from association Igra and Emina Bužinkić, Secretary General.

Croatian Youth Network elects new leadership and members

The General Assembly of the Croatian Youth Network took place in Rijeka from 16 to 18 December. The Assembly was opened by Nikola Pandurić, CYN president, Irena Mergel, principal of a local prize-winning shool in the area of non-violence and Vojko Obersnel, mayor of Rijeka and representative of the President's Office.

55 delegates elected a new Managing and Supervisory Board.
Katarina Pavić (Clubture) is the old/new vice-president. New members of the Managing board are:
Marko Boko (Young European Federalists),
Mirela Travar (Centre for Peace Studies) and
Denis Sgagliardi (ZUM).
New Supervisory Board are:
Igor Bajok (Delta),
Cvijeta Senta (Domaći) and
Igor Roginek (Moslavina Media Servis).
The new leadership has a 2-year mandate (till December 2012).

New full member organizations are: Delta, Youth Association Selce, Legalis, Kulturtreger and Varaždin Underground Club.

New candidate members are: Info-zone, Kaštela Youth Triangle, Poligraf, Blank Film Incubator and SOS Childrens' Village Croatia. Croatian Debate Club and Križevci Youth Voice also have a candidate member status.

Applicants for candidate membership are: IKS Association and Osijek Islamic Youth Club.

The Croatian Youth Network now has 59 member organizations.

The Assembly also adopted position documents on the topics of violence among youth and towards youth, employment and labour market reform, and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Members took part in joint planning of activities for the International Year of Youth and the European Year of Volunteering and they were also presented the newly-formed CYN pool of trainers.

Mediation in schools

The thematic Assembly of the Croatian Youth Network started with the national conference 'Mediation in schools - the role of students' councils in peer mediation'. The conference was opened by: Emina Bužinkić, CYN Secretary-General, Diana Batinić, head of the Rijeka Mediation Centre, Mirjana Paintner Vilenica, pedagogue of the Sisak High-school, Nina Vela Vrabec, social pedagogue of the Rijeka Family Centre and representative of the Ministry of Family, War Veterans' Affairs and Intergenerational Solidarity, and Nada Turina Ðurić, deputy county prefect of the Primorje and Gorski Kotar County.
 
The conference gathered 40 high-school students, teachers, pedagogues and  i leaders of non-formal education programmes. Within the workshop 'Work ethics of young mediators', 20 high-school students from Sisak, Rijeka, Kastav, Osijek and Tuzla made the ethics code for mediations high-schools clubs. The workshop was facilitated by Nena Arvaj and Igor Ðorđević of the Centre for peace, non-violence and human rights. Emina Bužinkić presented the initiative for the Strategy for mediation to teachers and pedagogues.

The conference was supported by Ministry of Family, War Veterans' Affairs and Intergenerational Solidarity as an activity within the International Year of Youth.

First Active Citizens training

The first Active Citizens training module in Croatia took place in Karlovac on 11 and 12 December. The Active Citizens programme is implemented by the British Council Croatia in cooperation with the Croatian Youth Network and it is focused on Karlovac and Sisak and Moslavina Counties. 26 active citizens from civil society organizations, political parties, schools and public institutions explored the topics of identity, culture and dialogue. The training also focused on networking within the group aiming to encourage and facilitate future joint projects. The next training module will take place in January 2011.

Public discussion on the topic of behavioural disorders in children and youth

Member of the CYN managing board Marina Horvat participated in a public discussion on 6 December in the Ministry of Family, War Veterans' Affairs and Intergenerational Solidarity. The Ministry presented the Proposal for standards of terminology, definition, criteria and monitoring of behavioural disorders in children and youth. It is agreed that the term "children and young people with behavioural problems" will be used as an umbrella term and it will refer to children and young people exhibiting risky behaviour, to those who are in violation of law and those with behavioural disorders.

Europe for citizens

On Tuesday, the 7th December in Opatija, a conference 'Europe for citizens - the first three years of implementation in Croatia' was held. The event was organized by the Governmental Office for Cooperation with NGOs and it has officially marked third year of successful participation of Croatia as the first non-member country of the European Union participating in the program.

The conference brought together over 150 participants, representatives of counties, cities, municipalities and civil society organizations from Croatia, Italy and Slovenia. The Croatian Youth Network was represented by Emina Bužinkić. Croatian Youth Network this year received financial support from EACEA and the National Foundation for Civil Society Development for the project 'Youth Policy Project Backpack'.
 

Conference "Youth Participation and Active citizenship" took place in Zagreb

The Croatian Youth Network and the National Youth Council of Slovenia organized "Youth Participation and Active citizenship" conference on 26 and 27 November. The conference is an integral part of a year-long project ''Youth Policy Backpack'' which aims at bringing together youth policy experts across Europe to share knowledge and experiences on youth policy development. The project focuses on fostering cooperation of youth civil society organizations in Europe and disseminating relevant tools and knowledge among youth policy organizations in order to empower their role in building a more democratic and inclusive Europe.

The Conference focused strongly on the exchange of experiences, knowledge and good practices of youth organizations in the fields of youth participation and active citizenship as the goal was to harvest the best of what is currently taking place Europe-wide.

The participants formulated recommendations targeting relevant institutions and youth organizations, as well as the final declaration, which will be disseminated Europe-wide.

In the following period we will publish the results of the conference presneting the the most innovative models and mechanisms which enable effective youth participation.

Expert Commettee on the development of youth-friendly clinics and serivices for sexual and reproductive health meets

After a year-long break, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare convened the Expert Commettee on the development of youth-friendly clinics and serivices for sexual and reproductive health.

The Ministry presented the draft proposal of conditions and criteria for youth-friendly clinics and services (legal framework, structure, personnel, programme, availability, cross-sectoral cooperation...).

We invite all interested member organizations to contact us should they wish to give their contributions to the proposal.
 

CYN on the CEI Youth Forum

Budva (in Monte Negro) hosted 10th Youth Forum of the Central European Initiative. The Initiative was founded in 1989 by Italy, Hungary, Austria and former Yugoslavia aiming to promote regional cooperation. Today it encompasses 18 Member States, 9 of which are members of the EU.
Topic of this year’s CEI Youth Forum was: “Education and Employment of young people – challenges and perspectives". CYN was represented by Nikola Buković, Project Manager. During one of the sessions focused on good practice examples, he presented advocacy undertaken by the CYN within the Working Group for Drafting National Employment Plan.

Next year’s CEI Youth Forum will be held in Serbia, which presides the Initiative in 2011.

5th Session of the Council for Civil Society Development

On November 22nd, 5th session of the Council for the  Civil Society Development was held. Among the first things discussed at the session were the activities of members of the Council and the Office for Cooperation with NGOs in the period between two sessions. The council reported on the roundtable organized by Croatian Youth Network: Social Entrepreneurship - Jobs of the Future.

Office for Cooperation with NGOs reported on a series of activities, from which we can highlight the publication of report on financial support to civil society organizations in 2009 in the form of publication, which has been complemented by data for local and regional level of financing.

Council was presented with the first Draft of Methodology for funding organizations that implement programs and projects for the public benefit. The methodology should serve as a document that will cover issues related to the financing of NGOs in the future, as Croatia gets closer to joining the EU.

In addition, representatives of NGOs were the appointed for 2 different Commissions:  Commission for monitoring and improving support systems for victims and witnesses: Marina Čarlija - B.a.b.e. and the Sectoral Monitoring Committee IPA Component IV - Human Resources Development (the protection of women's rights): Sanja Sarnavka- B.a.b.e.

Presentation of the publication on school students' councils in City of Zagreb

On November 22 in the facilities of Medical School in Zagreb Croatian Youth Network presented publication, which came about as one of the integral activities of the project “Council Calling!!!”. Introduction in the discussion was given by representatives of city offices dealing with school students’ councils, Croatian Youth Network and participants of the educational cycle. Over fifty school students’ representatives and their teachers participated in the discussion on the publication content and further development of school students’ sector in the City of Zagreb.

YFJ elects new leadership

From 17-21 November more than 250 young delegates from youth organisations from all over Europe gathered in Kiev (Ukraine) for the European Youth Forum General Assembly. During three intense days they worked on the Work Plan of the platform for the next two years and elected a new leadership.

New President of the European Youth Forum is Peter Matjašič, JEF. Vice-Presidents are Katarina Nevedalova, ECOSY and Luca Scarpiello, FNG. Board Members are: Imse Nilsson, LSU, Anemone Birkebæk, DUF, Guoda Lomanaite, LYMEC, Mourad Mahidi, OJV, Falko Mohrs, WOSM, Katrine Korsgaard, EEE-YFU, Lloyd Russell-Moyle, IFM-SEI and Rui Duarte, CNJ.

Croatian Youth Network was presented by Nikola Pandurić, CYN President and Emina Bužinkić, Secretary General.

Workshop for School Students' Council Representatives in Sisak

Workshop for school students’ representatives of the Sisak Grammar School was held on November 18 by Mirela Travar and Nikola Buković, members of the CYN Pool of Trainers. Participants had an opportunity to learn about different topics relevant for successful work of school students’ councils, such as: framework of youth policies in Croatia, legal basis for school students’ councils work, best practices of school students’ work from local, national and European level.

Workshop: Youth participation in society and decision-making

On Wednesday 10 November, CYN led a workshop for some 20 highschool students from Karlovac within the Political geography class. Workshop was led by Cvijeta Senta and Emina Bužinkić. Guest speaker was Vesna Vilus from Association Domaći. The workshop was held within the project 'Devoted to change'supported by the Ministry of Family, War Veterans Affairs and Intergenerational Solidarity.

 

Conference of Youth Advisory Boards from Varaždin County

The first Conference of Youth Advisory Boards from Varaždin County was took place within facilities of Varaždin County Assembly on November 16 . Aims of this conference were to: foster cooperation between youth advisory boards within the County, improve quality of their work and to encourage those communities that still have not founded youth advisory boards to do so.

During the conference, Nikola Buković, Project Manager in the CYN promoted publication: Youth Policy: Croatian and European Practices. Nikola Pandurić, President of the CYN held a lecture on the Act on Youth Advisory Boards and quality standards of youth advisory board’s work.

Presentation of the publication on School Students' Councils

On November 23 Croatian Youth Network is presenting publication on school students’ councils within the facilities of School of Medicine in Zagreb. Publication is final product of annual project: "Council Calling!!!“ which was implemented with the support of City of Zagreb.
Authors of the publication are young schools students’ representatives themselves. During four education modules they have produced a number of texts which are integral part of this publication, such as draft of policy paper on addiction prevention and their review of new skills and competencies acquired through the project.

 

CYN holds round table on social enterpreneurship

On October 9, in the facilities of the Zagreb Centre for Independent Culture and Youth POGON,  the Croatian Youth Network organized a round table on social entrepreneurship and its pros and cons in regards to socio-economic development in Croatia. The first part of the round table was reserved for the promotion of the survey which CYN conducted with the Institute for Social Research Zagreb in 2009. This research dealt with (un)successful practices of social entrepreneurship within the Croatian youth field. In the second part of the round table, participants discussed whether social entrepreneurship has potential for creating more jobs for young people within Croatian economy. At the end participants agreed that in order to reach that goal, quality promotion of the concept and effective support to young social entrepreneurs is instrumental.

Publication 'Youth and Past' promoted in Varaždin

On Monday 8 November, The Varaždin County and Youth Advisory Board of the Varaždin County have organized a promotion of the booklet 'Youth and Past'. Booklet was made by the Croatian Youth Network, the Center for Peace Studies, Legalis and Youth Initiative for Human Rights. It was presented by Cvijeta Senta, editor and Emina Bužinkić, author. Promotion event was visited by number of pupils, teachers and politicians.

Youth and decision-making

On Saturday November 6, the PRONI Center for Social Education and Info-Youth Center have organized a public discussion on youth participation in decision-making processes in Sisak. Discussion was moderated by Igor Kovač, leader of the Info Youth Center and speaker was Emina Bužinkić. Discussion gathered high school students and students.

Mediation for pupils and teachers

Last week, from 2 to 6 November, the Croatian Youth Network organized trainings for pupils and teachers on mediation and peaceful conflict transformation in Grammar School in Sisak. Trainings were held within the project 'Mediation in schools - pupils' council as peer mediator'. Trainings were held by Sonja Kersten and Emina Bužinkić. Project is supported by the Ministry of Family, War Veterans' Affair and Intergenerational Solidarity. The activity contributes to marking the International Year of Youth.

Workshop on youth activism

Within facilities of Youth Centre Pula, Croatian Youth Network and ZUM: Association for Employment and Professional Development organized work shop on youth activism. Participants, coming mostly from Pula high schools were acquainted with basic concepts of youth activism, examples of successful local and national public advocacy initiatives. They also had an opportunity to learn about most important tools for developing quality community initiative and could rethink about ways to make their future initiatives more visible in general public.
This workshop was conducted by Ana Preveden of the ZUM and Nikola Buković of the CYN.

Promotion of the publication on local youth policy

On 4 November in Pula, member organization of the Croatian Youth Network,  ZUM: Association for Employment and Professional Development, promoted their publication on local youth policy in Istria County. Publication contains comprehensive analyses of the situation in youth field in Istria County, especially emphasizing key problems that hamper successful implementation of local youth strategies. It also contains set of recommendations to all of relevant stake-holders.
Nikola Buković of the CYN held one of the introductory lectures.

Final conference of Youth Studies

On 29 October Croatian Youth Network held a conference 'Integrating Youth Studies in the formal education system' with the aim of stimulating public and expert discussion on inclusion of youth relevant content and methodology of youth work in the programmes of higher educational institutions. At the conference that was held in Pogon - Zagreb
Center for Independent Culture and Youth, Youth Studies students presented the thematic line of the programme as well as external best practice examples.

The conference was organized under the project 'focus:youth - Youth Studies' supported by the National Foundation for Civil Society Development. The conference is a part of the activities of the International Year of Youth.

Temporary change of address of CYN office

We would like to inform our international partners and donors and all interested parties that the Croatian Youth Network has a new temporary address: Kuća ljudskih prava, Selska cesta 112a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. The address will be valid from 2 November to 31 December 2010.

In this period, the Croatian Youth Network will not be using its land phone line (+385 1 4573 937). Instead, mobile phone number +385 99 732 959 will be used. The fax number remains +385 1 4611 032.

National Committee on Human Rights constituted

On 27 October, constitutional session of the National Committee on Human Rights and Democratic Citizenship was held within the premises of the Government of RoC. The goal of the Committee is to develop the National Education Programme on Human Rights and Democratic Citizenship, recommendations for continuous scientific research and data-base development within the field, and analysis of legal framework on human rights and democratic citizenhsip.

The session was attended by representatives of ministries, education agencies, academies, universitites and civil society organizations. The Croatian Youth Network was represented by Emina Bužinkić and Cvijeta Senta.

Round table on Social Entrepreneurship

On November 9, in the facilities of the Zagreb Centre for Independent Culture and Youth, Croatian Youth Network is organizing a round table entitled: “Social Entrepreneurship:  Jobs of the Future”.
Round table aims at clarifying usual misunderstandings regarding the concept of social entrepreneurship, but it also aims at examining its influence upon civil society organizations and best practice examples. Inputs for discussion will be given by representatives of City of Zagreb Office for Youth, National Foundation for Civil Society Development, Croatian Youth Network, Institute for Social Research, Council for Civil Society Development and Centre for Civic Initiatives.

 

Invitation to Youth Studies conference

The Croatian Youth Network and Youth Studies are pleased to invite you to participate in the conference 'Integration of youth work methodology in formal educational system' which will take place in Zagreb on October 29 in Pogon - Zagreb Centre for Independent Culture and Youth.

Please confirm your participation no later than October 28 at 12.00pm to 4573 937 or emina@mmh.hr.

Conference programme

First activites of the CYN Pool of Trainers

Four – day training which encompassed eight members of newly formed CYN Pool of Trainers took place in Zadar, from October 18 until October 21.
Issues of great importance for successful functioning of the Pool were themes of the day: needs for its services, how it will contribute to organizational sustainability and improve quality of youth work in Croatia, which quality standards should be upheld by members of the Pool, internal procedures and etc. As a first significant set of activities, members if the Pool will conduct series of workshops within project which is funded by the Ministry of Family, War Veterans’ Affairs and Inter – generational Solidarity.

CYN Pool of Trainers will be officially launched at the General Assembly this December.

Apply for Active Citizens programme

Active Citizens is a British Council programme which had a kick-off in 2009 in the UK and several countries world-wide. In Croatia it is being run in cooperation with the Croatian Youth Network and it focuses on youth activism.

Its aim is to contribute to social change and sustainable development by establishing a viable global network of leaders which have the ability to change their communities and encourage dialogue and learning. The programme will improve active citizenship by developing participants' awareness of local culture and identity, understanding of local communities, responsible approach to sustainable development, positive attitudes on diversity and multicultural reality and project management skills.

We encourage young people from Sisak and Moslavina County and Karlovac County to apply.

International seminar on sustainability of youth organizations held in Zagreb

The Croatian Youth Network, in cooperation with national youth councils from Belgium, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Slovenia, organized an international seminar on the topic of sustainability of youth organizations. The seminar took place in Zagreb from 11 to 17 October with the support of the Youth in Action programme.

The seminar had two thematic lines: models of public financing of youth organizations and the development of pools of trainers as important factors in ensuring sustainability of youth organizations. The participants had the opportunity to exchange experiences and good practices from their countries with the aim of improving support mechanisms to youth organizations.

Based on their experiences and structural analysis, the participants made joint recommendations for relevant institutions and youth organizations for improving public systems of financing in the youth field in Croatia and other European countries. The recommendations were presented at a public discussion which gathered representatives of local and national institutions which fund youth projects and programmes, other donors and young people. The fruitful discussion opened many important issues, including the question of institutional support to youth organizations in Croatia. Young people also had the opportunity to meet representatives of the ministry in charge of youth and several governmental offices which presented their work in the field of financing the youth sector.

The recommendations will be made public through a publication and disseminated to youth organizations Europe-wide.


 

Discussion on youth NGO financing

The Croatian Youth Network, together with National Youth Councils from Slovenia, Portugal, Greece, Italy and Belgium is organizing public discussion on financing youth organizations. Target groups for this activity are: representatives of national youth councils, representatives of national, regional and local authorities in charge of youth, representatives of foundations focused on youth projects, etc.

Public debate will take place on October 15, within facilities of Zagreb Centre for Independent Culture and Youth – POGON.  This discussion is an integral activity of international seminar: “Sustainability of Youth Organizations”, taking place in Zagreb within the period from October 11 until October 17.

"Council Calling" - trainings on addiction prevention

The last two trainings of “Council Calling!!!” educational cycle were held on October 2 and 3. On the first day, members of school students’ councils participating in training were empowered in field of addiction prevention and peer education.
During October 3 participants, with help of their trainers drafted Declaration of Zagreb School Students’ Council on Addiction Prevention. They also planned graphical design and structure of their texts for publication which will deal with role of school students’ councils in addiction prevention.

Invitation to the conference ''Youth Participation and Active Citizenship''

The Croatian Youth Network and the National Youth Council of Slovenia are pleased to invite you to participate in a two-day conference ''Youth Participation and Active Citizenship'', which will take place in Zagreb, Croatia, 26-28 November 2010.

The Conference is an integral part of a year-long project ''Youth Policy Backpack'' which aims at bringing together youth policy experts across Europe to share knowledge and experiences on youth policy development. The project focuses on fostering cooperation of youth civil society organizations in Europe and disseminating relevant tools and knowledge among youth policy organizations in order to empower their role in building a more democratic and inclusive Europe. The project also contributes to the goals of the International Youth Year.

Our hope is the Conference and the project will have a profound effect on youth policy development in Croatia and Europe. By strengthening organizations’ capacities through exchange of experiences and knowledge, the conference will bring European dimension of youth policy closer to young people and create a sense of ownership over "the European idea".

Main focus of the conference is the exchange of knowledge and experiences in the areas related to:

• Active citizenship in Europe – How are young people empowered to become active citizens
• Youth Policy – Structured dialogue and youth participation
• Organized youth and cooperation with governments – Co-management in practice
 
Our aim is to gather 30 participants from across Europe coming from experienced organizations with strong youth policy background, particularly national youth councils. Here you can find the Invitation to the Conference and the Application Form. We are looking forward to hosting you in Zagreb!
 

National Youth Councils set youth unemployment as a priority area

From October 24 to 26 in Larnaca, Cyprus a meeting of the euro-mediterranean national youth councils was held as a continuation of cooperation in the mutual building of standards of life quality of young people in this region. A dozen of national youth councils, including the Croatian Youth Network, which was represented by Secretary General Emina Bužinkić, have agreed on a common thematic framework for 2011 in the field of youth unemployment and promotion of employment and employability of youth in the Euro-Mediterranean countries. In addition, joint activities in the coming year will be organized within the following areas: youth rights, active citizenship and participation of young people, migration and interculturalism,  Year of volunteering 2011, Year of Youth 2010-2011 and review of the Millennium Development Goals. The meeting was organized by the CYC - The National Youth Council of Cyprus.

First meeting of the Working Group for Drafting National Employment Plan 2011 - 2012

First meeting of the Working Group for drafting National Employment Plan 2011 – 2012 was held in the facilities of the Ministry of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship on September 21.
This meeting focused on the report of implementation of National Employment Plan 2009 – 2010.  denoting which measures of the Plan achieved their purpose and which of them have failed to meet their objectives. Also, deadline for proposing measures for new National Employment Plan was set for October 1. Proposed measures will be discussed on the following meeting of the Working Group, scheduled for mid October.

Survey within the project: "Youth in the Labour Market" presented

On September 20,  GOPA Consulting Ltd. and Croatian Employment Agency in Westin Hotel in Zagreb presented results of survey on attitudes of young unemployed people and employers in 8 Croatian counties. These 8 counties have been selected on the basis of having the highest youth unemployment rate in the country. This survey was one of the integral activities within IPA project “Youth on the Labour Market”.
Speakers of the round table in which survey was presented included: Ankica Paun Jarallah, Head of the Croatian Employment Agency, Mike Chambers, Head of the Project Team, Sanja Crnković-Pozaić and Branka Meštrović,  both authors of the research.

 

Plan C for Europe

On September 17 in Zagreb, the seminar A Plan C for Europe: Citizenship, Civic Engagement, Civil Dialogue was organized by association SMART and European Civic Forum. The seminar gathered some 30 participants from all around Europe. Within the discussion Participative democracy in action - best practices on national and european level, CYN's Emina Bužinkić presented best practices within youth initiatives when it comes to participation in official decision making processes and collective decision-making in youth groups.

The 5th Meeting of the National Committee for the Development of Volunteering

The 5th Meeting of the National Committee for the Development of Volunteering was held on 15 September at the Ministry of Family, War Veterans' Affairs and Intergenerational Solidarity.

The Committee decided to organize in November a round table on the topic of recognition of volunteering. The aim is to bring together relevant actors from the public, civil and business sector and offer recommendations on how to introduce and/or improve mechanisms for the recognition of volunteering, especially in the field of education and the labour market.

The Committee elected members of the Working group on National Volunteer Award and also decided to initiate the process of collecting proposals for amendments to the Law on Volunteering.

International Day of Democracy in Croatian Parliament

In November 2007, UN General Assembly declared the 15th September as the International Day of Democracy. Croatian Parliament is an active member of the Interparliamentary Union and this year, for the third time, it joined 155 other member countries' parliaments in commemorating the Day of Democracy.

On that occasion, the Executive Committee of the National Group of the Croatian Parliament at Interparliamentary Union, led by Marija Lugarić, organized in the Croatian Parliament on Tuesday, September 14 2010, a round table "Political responsibility - making links between parliament and citizens." The round table was opened by the President of Croatian Parliament Luka Bebić, followed by a presentation of research results „Accountable and transparent local government – LOTUS“ conducted by GONG and presented by Sandra Pernar, president of the GONG. In the introduction participants have heard speeches from Igor Dragovan, Chairman of the Committee for Petitions and Complaints of the Croatian Parliament, Suzana Kunac, B.a.b.e., Ružica Šimunović, Head of Public Relations of the Croatian Parliament, and Berto Šalaj, Vicedean of the Faculty of Political Sciences in Zagreb.

The debate was attended by 20 participants: MPs, representatives of executive authorities, NGOs and the media. Croatian Youth Network was represented by Marija Hrebac, a member of the Board.

Human rights at Youth Studies

The last educational Youth Studies module was held in Zadar from October 9th to 12th. General topic of the module was Education of youth for human rights and democratic citizenship. The module was composed of lectures, presentations and workshops on political and peace education, human rights and equality. Within the module, the public lecture on teenage magazines and identity creation was delivered.

The final conference on youth studies and its' integration in Croatian educational system will be held on October 29th in Zagreb, Croatia.

Youth Studies are supported by the National Foundation for Civil Society Development. Youth Studies have been implemented within the activities of the International Year of Youth.

CYN marks Lifelong Learning Week

Croatian Youth Network participated in the Lifelong Learning Week organized by the Croatian Agency for Adult Education. CYN took part in the Open Space Workshop on September 11. The workshop was organized by the Forum for quality foster care and Association Igra and it brought together young people in care (children's homes and foster families) and representatives of various institutions and organizations that implement or are associated with the field of lifelong learning for adults. CYN presented its educational programs and opportunities for youth volunteering.

Lifelong Learning Week 2010 is marked under the slogan INCLUSION FOR EVERYONE! from 8 to 15 September. The Week began with the International Literacy Day, which is celebrated worldwide since 1966 on 8 September.

4th session of the Council for Civil Society Development

Today, on September 8th a 4th session of the Council for Civil Society Development was held at the premises of the Croatian Government. Office for cooperation with NGOs has reported on counselling process on the proposal of governmental decision on terms and standars of financing of public benefit projects and programs. The Office took the decision of prolonging the counselling process due to need to reconcile non-compliance related to tax benefits and other relevant elements for the financing of NGOs. In addition, the Office started consultations on revision of the Operational Plan of the National strategy for civil society development. TACSO Office has announced its' activities in the field of technical assistance.

The Council adopted the draft strategic plan and established three working groups: Working Group for monitoring the NGOs funding policy, the Working Group on supporting the involvement of CSOs in shaping public policy and the Working Group on cross-sectoral cooperation and solidarity in the creation of environment for public advocacy initiatives. In addition, the Council has nominated 3 representatives of NGOs to participate in the work of the European Year of Volunteering Committee: Bojan Smode, SIH; Duška Milinković,  the Association MI and Lejla Šehić Relić, Volunteer Centre Osijek.

Youth Studies announces new public lecture - Teenage magazines and creation of identity

The lecture on the role of popular culture in education on human rights through analysis of popular magazines for teenagers will be held in Zadar, Youth Hostel on Saturday 11/09. The lecture and discussion will be led by Mima Simić, popular writer and film critic. The lecture will be conducted within 3rd module of Youth Studies named: Education for human rights and democratic citizenship.

CYN on vacation

We wish to inform you that CYN office is temporarily closed becasue we are on vacation. We will resume our activites on 6 September 2010.

Happy International Youth Day!

The Croatian Youth Network continued its activities to mark the International Youth Day and the beginning of the International Youth Year. Therefore, the central celebration took place on 12 August in Zagreb with a public event on one of the central city squares. We distributed promotional materials to citizens and got them involved in several activities such as "If I Were a Minister for a Day", wherein citizens had the opportunity to voice their concerns and wishes over the status of young people in Croatia.

The celebration continued on 13 August in Grožnjan, Istria. We joined the efforts of our member organization Jeunesses Musicales Croatia and enjoyed several concerts of young artists together with hundreds of guests from Croatia and abroad.

We wish you a happy International Youth Day and we invite all to join efforts in marking the International Youth Year. Our Year, Our Voice!

Download the Croatian logo of the International Youth Year

As previously announced, in the process of a Call for Proposals the Croatian Youth Network selected and became the owner of the national logo of the International Youth Year. It is our wish that the logo becomes a recognizable symbol of the Youth Year in Croatia.

Therefore, the logo is available for non-commercial use to all non-profit organizations and institutions free of charge. You can download the logo here.

Excerpt from CYN President's speech on International Youth Day

...Croatia must follow these trends and invest in youth. There is no alternative. The most important recommendations go in line with the need to recognize young people as the most important resource of a country and society. The society must invest in youth and in the development of youth sector. We call for investment in young people: for our education, full inclusion, the development of all aspects of our lives. The recognition of young people as resources and long-term investment in the young population as a rich social capital is often neglected in our society Young people often face treatment which disregards their creativity and innovation and highlights youth as a group prone to inappropriate behavior, violence and delinquency. Is there no greater error than to label all young people in the country with this stereotype?

The lack of investment in youth is primarily the lack of smart, progressive and long-term strategies. Results that are not visible in a short period are not interesting when pursuing daily political goals and those rare investments which take place are often restricted by precarious financial situation. In most cases, however, young people are faced with the reluctance to effect change, efforts to maintain the established patterns of behavior, and a total disregard of the culture of youth participation and the overall political participation of citizens.

We, young people, deserve to be selflessly invested in because we are important pillars of this society and this is the only way we can become the future in the often used phrase "The young are the future!" Dear friends, we are young here and now. Young people are the present. And as long as young people are not recognized as the present, they can not become the future. We are what we are today, in our full strength and capacities. Today, not tomorrow.

International Youth Day Celebration on Zagreb streets

On the occasion of the International Youth Day and the beginning of the International Youth Year, CYN will organize a whole-day public event in Zagreb on 12 August 2010. The event will comprise a number of activiites:

// distribution of promo materials,
// action called "If I were a minister for a day",
// screening of films on youth,
// referendum question.

The program animator and MC will be Mima Simić.

We kindly invite you to join us.
 

CYN organizes celebration to mark the International Youth Day and Year

In December 2009, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 64/134 proclaiming the Year, signifying the importance the international community places on integrating youth-related issues into global,regional, and national development agendas. Under the theme Dialogue and Mutual Understanding, the Year aims to promote the ideals of peace, respect for human rights and solidarity across generations, cultures, religions
and civilizations.

To mark the International Youth Day and the beginning of the International Youth Year, the Croatian Youth Network, in partnership with the Ministry for Family, War veterans' Affairs and Intergenerational Solidarity, organizes a ceremony which is to take place on 11 August in Zagreb. This will be the occasion to announce the winner of our International Youth Year Logo competition.

Youth Exchange in Knin

Informal initiative called "Youth for Center" in cooperation with the Croatian Youth network organized a youth exchange in Knin from 24 July to 2 August. The exchange was thematically linked to intercultural dialogue and it gathered 30 young people from Knin and Helsinki. The exchange was financially supported by the Youth in Action programme and the Knin Municipality.

This exchange is a follow-up of CYN last year's project "Knin Youth Center". It was precisely the young people from Knin who had participated in the last year's projects who organized this exchange, with support and mentorship of CYN. One of the reasons of having Finnish partners is because of Finland's long tradition and good practices with organized youth work in youth centers. This exchange goes in line with continued advocacy efforts for the opening of a youth center in Knin.

Year of Youth Logo

The Croatian Youth Network wishes to express its gratitude to all the applicants that have entered a Call for Proposals for the International Year of Youth Logo. 

We are happy to announce that selection committee, which included: Igor Roginek (Croatian Youth Network), Zlatka Salopek (Croatian Designers Society) and Kristina Hecimovic (Ministry of Family, War Veterans' Affairs, and Inter-generational Solidarity) received and evaluated 48 proposals designed by 30 young artists. Selection committee ruled that wining proposal which will be the official International Year of Youth Logo was work of young artists Karaca and Reicher. Moreover, members of the selection committee have expressed their satisfaction with general quality of proposals, as well as with the level of their creativity and originality. All of the participants are called upon to keep up with the good work that have demonstrated for this competition.

Official presentation of all competing proposals, committal of the Award to the winners of the Call, as well as inauguration of  Year of Youth Logo will take place in Zagreb on the International Youth Day, August 12.
 

Second Youth Meeting of the Capitals of Central and South Eastern Europe

From July 27th till 30th 2010, the Second Youth Meeting of the Capitals of Central and South Eastern Europe was held in Tirana, Albania. The meeting has brought  together around 40 participants from 6 countries: Albania, Austria, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro and Romania. Themes of the meeting were: How to overcome challenges faced by young people and Today’s young people – Future leaders. Each country was presented by a person from the city municipality and by young person. Croatian delegation was consisted of Helena Miladić, Head of the Youth Unit in the administration of City of Zagreb, Goran Luburić, member of The Presidency of Croatian Academic Association and Marija Hrebac, vice-president of Croatian Youth Network.

CYN visiting Scouts' Parade

9th Parade of the Scout Association of Croatia took place in the northern part of Petrova gora, from July 23 to August 1. This parade assembled scout associations from all over Croatia, as well as guests from Macedonia, Iceland and Czech Republic. The Parade was organized as a number of independent camps, each of them presenting their own activities, such as: workshops, sports events, excursions and etc. Martina Horvat, member of the Managing Board of the CYN was one of the guests of the Parade, actively participating in the activities of joint camp organized by scout associations Picoki, Kalnik, Klasje, Sirius, Lepoglava, Kamengrad i Bilogorci.

School of Hostelling

From July 23 to 25 in Youth hostel Rijeka, Croatian Youth Hostel Association and Croatian Youth Network have organized the School of Hostelling during which 12 young participants learned about hostelling, social enterpreneurship and youth mobility. School was led by Matija Polančec and Emina Bužinkić. The School was supported by the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports.

Youth Studies Journal

The Croatian Youth Network has a pleasure to present the first Youth Studies Journal: Youth and Society - Matter of Identity written by Youth Studies participants. We strongly hope we will be able to translate our journals in English.
 

Members of the Council for the Development of Civil Society support citizens in struggle for the Varšavska Street

Regarding last week's events related to the Varšavska Street, during which some 150 citizens were arrested for non-violent resistence to continued construction work on the Varšavska Street, we the members of the Council for the Development of Civil Society express our strong disagreement with police actions which prevented the expression of civil protest at a registered and legal civil gathering.

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We invite all persons responsible for the massive arrests and all persons responsible for actions which prevent the expression of civil protest and which infringe upon public interest to act for the purpose of diminishing the damages caused by their actions and to enable free civil participation for the common good.

Members of the Council for the Development of Civil Society to the Republic of Croatia:

Slađana Novota (president) and Zvjezdana Schulz Vugrin - SMART
Katarina Pavić and Emina Bužinkić - Croatian Youth Network
Suzana Kunac and Lana Vego - B.a.B.e. and Centre for Peace Studies
Željka Leljak Gracin and Irma Popović - Green Action
Snježana Ivčić and Ružica Lah - Croatian Coalition of Associations in Health Care
Dejan Buvač - Croatian Culture Assembly
Jasna Malus Gorišek - Croatian Association of Technological Culture
Jany Hansal and Antonija Roszahegy Nikolić - Croatian Society of Muscular Dystrophy, Cerebral Palsy, Children's Palsy patients and other physically disabled people
Ljiljanja Canjuga and Bruno Čavić -  Croatian War veterans Association
Branka Kaselj - Slagalica Foundation

Presentation of a booklet

It is our pleasure to invite you to attend the presentation of a booklet 'Youth and Past - Why would I be interested?' that will be held in Rijeka in the City Hall, Kružna 16 on July 16th at 7.30pm. The presentation is organized by the City Council of Serb National Minority Rijeka.

Speakers are: Cvijeta Senta (Centre for Peace Studies), Drago Pilsel (novinar) and Emina Bužinkić (Croatian Youth Network).

The 1st European Youth Work Convention

The Convention, which took place in Ghent, Belgium in the period July 7-10 2010 has brought together over 400 participants from 50 countries in Europe, but also coming from other continents (Africa, North America). The Convention is a result of close cooperation between the Belgian Presidency of the European Union, European Commission (EC), Council of Europe (CoE), Partnership in youth between the EC and the CoE, European Youth Forum, Advisory Council on Youth of the Council of Europe, European youth researchers.

Youth sexual and reproductive health and rights

The Croatian Youth Network and Youth Studies would like to invite you to attend the lecture and discussion 'Youth sexual and reproductive health and rights - good timing for policy or not?' The event will be organized in Youth Info-Centre in Rijeka, Kružna 8. The lecturer is mr.sc. Nataša Bijelić, engaged with the association CESI.

3rd session of the Council for Civil Society Development

On July 8th and 9th Council for Civil Society Development organized strategic planning. Within the planning process, the 3rd session of the Council was held. The session started with the presentation of the Annual report of the National Foundation for Civil Society Development conducted by Cvjetana Plavša Matić, director.

During the session several representatives of CSO-s were nominated to: National Committee for education for human rights and democratic citizenship (Emina Bužinkić and Cvijeta Senta from CYN), Working group on National Employment Action Plan 2011-2012 (Ana Žužić from MMH), and Inter-sector Working group for development strategy and external aid.
 

CYN opens call for delivery of logo for the Year of Youth

In order to promote activities of the International Youth Day and the Year of Youth, Croatian Youth Network opens call for the logo delivery. The competition is designed for young people between 15 and 30 years, and the winner will receive a cash prize worth 2,000 kuna. The call is open until July 25th 2010.
 

CSO-s advocating integration of subject on human rights and active citizenship in school curricula

On July 7th Croatian Youth Network, Centre for Peace Studies, Center for Peace, Non-violence and Human Rights and GONG with the support of the Centre for Human Rights have presented advocacy initiative in creating educational curricula on human rights and active citizenship on all levels of educational system.

 

Political literacy and participation of young people

In Zagreb on July 6th civil society organization GONG has organized discussion on political literacy of young people with CSO-s, experts, governmental representatives etc. GONG has informed participants on preliminary results of the research conducted among high school students in Croatia. All participants have agreed upon need of educating youth on political processes, democracy, human rights, active citizenship, communication, and integrating the fields in school curricula. Specifically, it was emphasized the importance of educating teachers and cooperating with CSO-a that have gained capacities in non-formal education in the field mentioned. The discussion was attended by Martina Horvat from the CYN.
 

Study visit of young Kosovo leaders to Croatian youth NGOs

World Learning Kosova and the Croatian Youth Network organized a study visit of young Kosovo leaders to Croatian youth NGOs.

The study visit took place from 27 July to 2 August and young guests visited several youth organizations accross country: Volunteer Centre Osijek, Creators not Consumers, K.V.A.R.K., ACT, Croatian Youth Network, UMKI and ZUM. The goal of the study visit was to transfer good practices in project management. Young leaders from Kosovo also had an opportunity to learn more about community volunteering, social entrepreneurship, creating local youth policies, etc.

8th session of the Council for Youth

8th session of the Council for Youth was held today on June 5th at the premises of the Government of the Republic of Croatia. Members have adopted the Activity Report of the Council for Youth for 2008 and 2009, and the Report on implementation of the National Youth Strategy 2009-2013 for the year 2009. Members have agreed on participating in two thematic sessions, one to be organized at the International Youth Day on August 12 and another one at the Scouts Assembly at the end of July. The session was attended by Emina Bužinkić, Secretary Generak of the CYN who has been nominated to the working group on framing conclusion of the previous thematic session on youth violence. 

The 5th Summer University for Democracy closes

The 5th Summer University for Democracy was held in Strasbourg from June 28 to July 2 in the Council of Europe. The event gathered 650 representatives of national annual programmes for political education from 16 countries, including Croatia. On behalf of the Croatian Youth Network, Secretary General Emina Bužinkić participated in the Summer University as a member of the Academy for Political Development from Croatia. 

The programme was composed of plennary discussions and workshops on politial development, crisis and leadership, sustainable development etc. Some of the distinguished guests from Croatia represented their views and those are: Proffesor Žarko Puhovski from the Faculty of Philosophy, Zoran Morvai from UNDP and MP Marija Lugarić.  Within the programme, Croatian participants visited European Court for Human Rights and Embassy of the Republic of Croatia. Summer University was closed with declaration adoption. 

Speech of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Act on Youth Advisory Boards changes

On June 30, the Working group on the legislation changes in the area of youth advising (Act on Youth Advisory Boards) has met and agreed on dynamics of work and consultative process during legislation changes. Members are representatives of the official state offices and departments, youth advisory boards, local governenments and the Croatian Youth Network (Emina Bužinkić and Nikola Pandurić who primary represents Youth Advisory Board of the Koprivnicko-krizevacka County). 

Youth and Peace Education in Brussels

On Tuesday June 29, the Center for Peace Studies has promoted a book on 'Recommendations for EU Security Policy based on peace building experience from countries formed by the disintegration of Yugoslavia'. 

Introductory speeches were held by: publication editors Lana Vego and Gordan Bosanac, Vedran Horvat, office manager of Heinrich Boll Stiftung in Croatia and author of the text Solidarity or Security, Dejan Jović, professor at Stirling University (UK) and Chief Analyst, and Advisor to the President of the Roc, and Emina Bužinkić, Secretary General of the Croatian Youth Network and co-author of the text Center for Peace Studies Practice: Connection of Peace Activism and Peace Education. The topic Ms Buzinkic presented was Importance of Peace Education. 

Promotion was attended by representatives of european institutions, networks, advocacy coalitions, NGOs and decision-makers. Discussion was held upon recommendations for EU security policy development.

Another training for school students' representatives

Second training of the educational cycle for representatives of school students’ councils was held this weekend within the facilities of Zagreb Centre for Independent Culture and Youth.
Topic of this training was public advocacy and consequently, participants were acquainted with basic terminology related to public advocacy and youth policy. Moreover, they were given numerous examples of public-advocacy initiatives from Croatian socio-economic life, as well as examples of public-advocacy tools that stake-holders use in order to achieve their goals. Finally, participants supported by training’s leaders, Mirela Travar from GONG and Nikola Buković form CYN planned their own public-advocacy initiatives which will be implemented with the assistance of CYN experts.

Next training for school students' representatives will be conducted in late September.

 

Together to structural EU funds

On Friday June 18th the Consultation on the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) 2012-2013 'Together to structural EU funds' were held in Zagreb, in hotel Westin. NSRF is an instrument of strategic planning in the context of managing Cohesion and EU structural funds in the budgetary period from 2007 to 2013. NSRF exposes the strategy and determines the OperationalProgrammes (OP) co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund and Cohesion Fund. During consultation NSRF was presented and afterwards discussions on the development of transport infrastructure, environment and energy, strengthening the competitiveness of Croatian economy and regional development, employment and development of human capital, and strengthening administrative capacity were held. The consultation was attended by representative of MMH E. Bužinkić.

CYN meets youth politicals

Croatian Youth Network has organized an informal meeting with youth political branches of parliamentary political parties on Friday 9 June. The meeting was attended by SDP Youth Forum of the Social Democratic Party of Croatia by representative Arijana Fridrih Lekić, Croatian Liberal Youth by Nino Stojanović and Youth of Croatian People's Party by Vedrana Gujić. The CYN was represented by the president Nikola Pandurić, Managing Board members Katarina Pavić, Marija Hrebac and Matija Polančec and Secretary General Emina Bužinkić.

This informal meeting was a step towards better communication and cooperation between the Croatian Youth Network and the youth branches of political parties, and revitalization of the Coordination of the Croatian Youth Network and youth branches of political parties. All parties agreed on many subjects and areas on which cooperation is possible, from the National Youth Program to youth advisory boards. The cooperation on a national level is of the utmost importance for creating a sustainable institutional framework on all levels. With the excused youth branches of political parties, individual meetings will be held.

2010 Organisation's week of City of Zagreb

On Saturday 12 of June Croatian Youth Network participated in „Organisation's week 2010“ organised by the City office for social protection and people with disabilities of City of Zagreb. The CYN presented its work, publications and programmes to the interested public. The volunteers for the CYN on this event were Matija Polančec and Nikola Pandurić.

4th meeting of the Youth Regional Network

From Monday June 7 to Wednesday June 9 the 4th meeting of the Youth Regional Network established and supported by the Assembly of European Regions took place in Croatia. The organizer and host region was Krapina-zagorje county with co-organizers Koprivnica-krizevci,  Varazdin and Sisak-moslavina counties. Main topic of the conference was empowering youth participation through subsidiarity. The opening of the conference was attended by Stjepan Mesić, Vesna Pusić, prefects and their deputies and other high representatives and scientists. The conference was presided by the Croatian Youth Network president Nikola Pandurić, youth representative from Koprivnica-krizevci region and the former member of the YRN Youth Presidium. 

First training of the programme for school students's representatives

First module of the educational programme aiming to empower school students’ representatives was held from June 4 until June 6 in Zagreb.

School students’ representatives, already gathered under the umbrella of newly founded Zagreb Council of School Student’s representatives had an opportunity to hear lectures on various topics, such as: youth policy at the national and local level, youth activism, school student’s networks in Croatia, neighbouring countries and Europe, school students as agents of positive social change, etc. Moreover, trainers (Aleksandra Maldžiski, former Board Member of the OBESSU and Anamarija Sočo, project manager with the CYN), helped participants to develop some of the more important „soft“ skills which are often requirements for successful work in school students’ council (team work, responsibility diffusion, communication skills).

The following training from this programme will be held from June 19 until June 20.
 

Second session of the Council for Civil Society Development

Second session of the Council for Civil Society Development was held of Friday, May 28 in Zagreb. Croatian Youth Network was represented by Emina Bužinkić Secretary - General and Katarina Pavić, Vicepresident, as representatives in front of youth sector.

Discussions on the Draft Law on organizations that operate for Common Good and on Guideliness for application of Codex for consultations with the interested public in the processes of adoption of laws, regulations and legal acts were some of it's highlights, as well as discussion on appointment of candidates to the National Committee for Education on Human Rights and Democratic Citizenship.

Regarding Draft Law on organizations that operate for Common Good, Croatian Youth Network organized sectorial consultations on the draft law in collaboration with Government's Office for Cooperation with CSOs of Republic of Croatia and Tasco project Croatia in late April. The final result of sectorial consultations will be submitted to the Office for Cooperation in written form by June 11.

Networking Days in Macedonia

The European Youth Forum and the Coalition of Youth Organisations SEGA organises Networking Days in Ohrid from 27-30 May. The aim of the event was to provide support to the consolidation of the National Youth Council of Macedonia. It is attended by 35 participants from youth organisations from Macedonia and representatives of the several National Youth Councils from other parts of Europe.

Macedonia youth organisations work on the steps towards improving networking at national level to have a a sustainable national platform of youth organisations in Macedonia. Apart from the European Youth Forum, Agency of Youth and Sports expressed their support to the efforts of youth organisations in consolidation of national-wide networking.

The event is an inherent part of the YFJ's country-by-country strategy with the aim of providing support to the establishment/consolidation of National Youth Councils. After similar events in Serbia, Bulgaria and Montenegro this is a fourth event of this kind.
 

CYN meets Croatian President

Delegation of the Croatian Youth Network has visited on Monday, May 24th the Presidents' Office and held a meeting with the President of the Republic of Croatia, Mr. Ivo Josipović. The meeting was very constructive and dynamic and the President and CYN have agreed on permanent cooperation in advancing youth position in Croatia as well as participation in international political processes related to the United Nations.

Governmental report for UPR

On May 24th the presentation of the governemntal report to the UPR (UN Universal Periodical Report) was held at the Center for Human Rights. The report was compiled
by the Office for Human Rights of the Croatian Government. The main areas covered by the report are: combating discrimination, gender equality, domestic violence and violence against women, child rights, persons with disabilities, human trafficking, migrants and asylum seekers, the right to education, the right to welfare and health care, prohibition of forced labor and right to work, the media freedom, civil society, the return of refugees and displaced persons, protection of minority rights and war crimes.
The presentation was attended by Emina Bužinkić on behalf of the Croatian Youth Network, whose comments in the field of children were exposed, with the support for the integration of young people rights in the report.

UPR_REPORT_YOUTH
UPR_REPORT_CSO ANALYSIS

New leadership of the SDP Youth Forum

On Saturday May 22nd in Zagreb VIII SDP Youth Forum Convention was held. Saša Đujić was elected as the new Youth Forum president, and Arijana Lekić Fridrih and Ivan Bašić as vice-presidents. Among numerous guests was also Nikola Panduric, Croatian Youth Network president, who expressed gratitude for the work done together with the former leader Davor Bernardić and others. He also shared an invitation to the new leadership of the SDP Youth Forum to continue the ongoing co-operation.

Networking Days Monenegro

Networking Days Montenegro were held in Bečići on 14 – 17 May.  Networking Days Montenegro were a part of the effort of the European Youth Form to give assistance to youth organisations in the Balkan region when trying to establish a national youth council. Networking Days were attended by some 30 participants from the same number of organisations. Guest from Serbia, Estonia, Lithuania and Nikola Pandurić from the Croatian Youth Network shared their experiences with networking in their own countries. 

The I European Union–Latin America and Caribbean (EU-LAC) Youth Summit

The I European Union–Latin America and Caribbean (EU-LAC) Youth Summit held on 7 till 9 of May 2010  preceded the Heads of State and Government Summit held in Madrid, on 18 May 2010, on the theme “Towards a new stage in the bi-regional partnership: Innovation and Technology for sustainable development and social inclusion”, and  provided an important opportunity for youth organisations from Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean to address core challenges and strengthen the dialogue and cooperation between the two regions on regional and global issues, contributing to the further development of the EU-LAC strategic partnership. During the Summit, youth representatives from both regions developed a joint document that was presented at the EU-LAC Heads of State and Government Summit. It consists of recommendations and priorities which youth from both regions face. 

The Youth Summit was attended by the CYN president, Nikola Pandurić. 

The third Meeting of the National Committee for the Development of Volunteering

The third Meeting of the National Committee for the Development of Volunteering was held on 17 May in Zagreb.
New Ethics Committee were elected among members. They are Bojan Smode (Croatian Scouts' Association), Ingrid Jurela Jarak (Ministry of Science, Education and Sports) and Mladen Ivanović (League of Cities and Municipalities of Croatia).
The National Committee will issue recommendations to all government bodies and public institutions for the popularisation and development of volunteering and removing obstacles to the inclusion of volunteers in government bodies and public institutions.
The Committe also established a working group (Anamarija Sočo, representative of the Croatian Youth Network is a member) which will draft a proposal of activities to mark the European Year of Volunteering 2011.
 

Days of the NGOs 2010

Days of the NGOs 2010 took place in Zadar from May 13 until May 15. They were organized by the Office for the Cooperation with NGOs, National Foundation for the Development of Civil Society, Project TACSO and Council for the Development of Civil Society. Central topics of this year’s Days of the NGOs were funds of the European Union and their significance for the development of the civil sector in Croatia. All available funds and programs were presented during the course of three-day seminar. Also, information on upcoming calls for proposals in number of European programs (especially IPA Program- Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance) was disseminated towards participants. Number of presentations also aimed at clearing a number of practical misunderstandings regarding different European Programs, as well as at presenting a system in which entities of Croatian administration share responsibility with the European Commission for their implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
 

Youth Studies kick off

This year the Croatian Youth Network has initiated implementation of an interdisciplinary non-formal program for youth - Youth Studies. The programme is based on learning about youth for youth. It gathers 18 participants from different social fields (journalism, medicine, education, culture, youth activism in community, volontueering, employment, public sector, political parties etc.).

The first module 'Youth and Society - identity issue' was held in Zagreb, in Zagreb centre for independent culture and youth, from 6th to 9th May. Lectures and presenters were: dr.sc. Vlasta Ilisin, mr.sc. Ivona Mendeš, dr.sc. Benjamin Perasović, Katarina Pavić (coordinator of Clubture), mr.sc. Bojana Ćulum, Anamarija Sočo (CYN activist), and Martina Globočnik (media activist). Soon we expect Youth Studies Journal publishing.
 

Academy for Political Development

From May 6 to 9, the second seminar of the Academy for Political Development, Council of Europe's programme, was held on Brač. Seminar topic was Communication skills and public acting. Numerous lectures were held on political discourse and speech, public relations, lobbying. Apart from that, there was a debate on sustainability of public television through discussion on the draft Law on HRT (Croatian Radio and Television). In addition there was a discussion on media work from the perspective of different fields and occupations. This year's participant is Emina Bužinkić, CYN's Secretary General.

CYN appeals to the Ministry in charge of youth regarding the upcoming conference on youth

Dear Mr/Mrs

The 9th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Youth is due to take place in the Russian Federation in 2012. A Ministerial Conference does not only offer the CoE Member States an opportunity of reaffirming their commitment to youth policy; it also offers the youth sector the opportunity of drawing attention to topics that are of a particular importance for European youth. As a national youth council, representing XX youth organisations, we want to express our strong support for the upcoming conference.

However, we are concerned about the topic of this high-level meeting and to what extent it will respond to the challenges of the youth policy of today. We recently learnt that there are discussions on devoting the upcoming Ministerial Conference to the topic of “Youth in the Digital Era”.

Addressing the role and the challenges of the Internet in today’s society is relevant but far from urgent. In times of financial crisis, we have once again been reminded of the particular challenges that many young people face, especially in accessing certain basic human rights. Youth unemployment rates remain shockingly high, access to housing and health care services proves difficult for many and still, in 2010, an average of 20% of young Europeans are experiencing poverty. Young people are united not only by the lifestyles and circumstances they share, but also by the problems and challenges they face. Sadly, they often fall through the ‘nets’ of protection that existing legislation and support mechanisms offer.

These are issues of an urgent nature and they are high on the agenda of the youth movement, i.e. the CoE Advisory Council on Youth and the European Youth Forum. Also the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is working with the rights of young people. 

The Council of Europe is not only devoted to defending human rights but has also always stood at the forefront of the development of youth policy in Europe. We have seen a shift towards a rights-based approach to youth policy - a shift that was reaffirmed by the Agenda 2020 adopted at the 8th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Youth – but there is a need for further development as well as further commitments in this regard. Therefore we would like to propose that the topic of the Ministerial Conference 2012 is “Agenda 2020 – A Rights-based Future of Youth Policy in Europe” and that this event focuses on young people’s access to their basic human rights.       

Thank you in advance for taking these comments into consideration in future discussions.

Yours sincerely,

Emina Bužinkić
Croatian Youth Network, member of the European Youth Forum
 

Invitation to the lecture on higher education and labour market

The Croatian Youth Network, programme Youth Studies, would like to invite you to attend the lecture of the prof. Teo Matković named Spreading higher education and labour market - instrument of social mobility; race to the bottom or a ticket to the knowledge society?

The lecture is being organized within the first educational module: Youth and society - matter of identity!

The lecture will be held on Friday, May 7th from 5 to 7pm in the premises of the Zagreb Center for Independent culture and youth.

Please confirm your attendance to info@mmh.hr by May6th, 5pm.

* Youth Studies are financially supported by the National Foundation for Civil Society Development

Meeting of the Croatian Network for Cooperation in Mediterannean

On April 30 within the facilities of Mediateka in Zagreb, meeting of the Croatian Network for  Cooperation in Mediterranean was held. Pavle Schramadei of the National Foundation for Civil Society Development, which coordinates activities of the Network, briefed the participants on current situation within Anna Lindh Foundation. Special emphasis was given to Anna Lindh Forum, which took place in Barcelona in March. Also, for the first time documentary movie from the Forum was presented to the participants, as well as promotional video on cultural cooperation within ALF Network.

The most important activity of the Croatian Network in the following period: the exhibition “Faces of Mediterranean” will be posted in most of major Croatian cities by the end of this year.  
 

Workshop 'Local youth policy and the role of youth advisory boards'

On April 30th, youth organization IKS has organized a workshop on local youth policy and the role of youth advisory boards for youth organizations and advisory boards from towns of Petrinja and Sisak. The workshop was held in the premises of the Youth Info Center in Sisak and was led by E.Bužinkić.

Presentaition of projects and consulations with the Office for Cooperation with NGOs

On April 29 in Zagreb, the Office for the Cooperation with NGOs, TACSO project (Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organizations) and the Croatian Youth Network organized two events: presentation of projects of organizations which were funded within Phare 2006 scheme, in the area: Active contribution of the civil society to the accession process in the field of Youth; as well as consultations on  Guidelines for the implementation of the Code of Practice on consultation with the interested public in procedures of adopting laws, other regulations and acts and the draft of the Law on NGOs that work for Public Benefit.
 

Constituent session of the Council for Civil Society Development

The first session of  the Council for the development of civil society in it’s third mandate took place on Friday, April 23rd. The session was attended by K. Pavic, vice president of MMH. Sla?ana Novota was elected as the President of the Council.

The Council has adopted two important documents: Report on the implementation plan of the national strategy of creating an enabling environment for civil society development (2007th-2011th) in 2009 and Report on the allotted financial support for projects and programs of civil society organizations in 2009.

Other topics of the session were also: days of NGO’s which will take place in Zadar, 13 - 15 May this year, a preliminary program was presented.

Also, a part of the session was dedicated to plans for future activities of the Council in the coming period, as well as the future establishment of working groups of the Council. Other important topics on the meeting of the Council concerned the possibility of organizing sectoral consultations with regard to the topics relevant to civil society. We are inviting all organizations to inform us about the relevant issues for them, so that we might better prepare for future consultations.

At the same time, we remind that the sectoral consultations organized in collaboration Croatian Youth Network, the Office for Cooperation with NGOs and the Project TASCO will take place this Thursday, 29 April. Consultations will be held at the Centre for independent culture and youth, Kneza Mislava 11, beginning at 13 hours.
 

CYN attending COMEM

Spring COMEM of the European Youth Forum was held in Brussels, Belgium, from April 22 to 26. COMEM gathered some 120 delegates from pan european region. Croatian Youth Network delegate was Emina Bužinkic. COMEM kicked off the european youth dialogue 'A new energy for Europe: Youth Recipes Out of Crisis' that was discussed with Maroš Ševcovic, Vice-President of the European Commission and youth politicians from international youth organizations.

During COMEM, new organizations became members of the forum (Czech National Youth Council for Children and Youth, Youth of European Nationalities and International Exchange Erasmus Student Network). Members have adopted two Policy Papers on 'Democracy and Youth Organisations' and 'Vocational Education and Training', together with resolutions addressing the issue of the situation of the Youth Sector in the Council of Europe and the opportunities of the International Youth Year. Furthermore, the assembly adopted a resolution ahead of the European Union - Latin American and Caribbean (EU-LAC) Youth Summit, to be held in Madrid on 7-9 May 2010.

Within the COMEM, the Croatian Youth Network and Slovenian Youth Council have organized a thematic square on the role of the international youth organizations in creating national youth councils in the Balkans. Current Forum's agenda sets priorities on establishing youth councils in Serbia and Bulgaria, and afterwards in Montenegro and Macedonia.

Finally, the city of Braga in Portugal was awarded the title of European Youth Capital 2012 during the closing party.
 

Youth Committee of City of Zagreb

On Thursday April 22nd, in the Old City Hall a thematic session of the Youth Committee of City of Zagreb was held, discussing the topic „City of Zagreb's scholarships for students – are they enough“. 

During an interesting debate the speakers addressed the number and rate of scholarships for excellence, disabled and socially endangered, the criteria for awarding the scholarships and the way they are used. The speakers agreed it is necessary to lower the rates of the biggest scholarships and to increase the number given each year. At the same time it is necessary to revise the number and amount of other groups of scholarships. 

Other systems for crediting and awarding the scholarships were presented and debated on. This systems work in other parts of Croatia and will be the topic of further debates. Representatives of civil organizations and youth took active part in the session. On behalf of MMH N.Pandurić participated.

Let's build a common civil society

Forum of civil society actors from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Balkan region and Europe «Let's build a common civil society» was held from 14th to 16th of April 2010 in Sarajevo  

This Forum brought together civil society actors from BiH, organizations and initiatives from all over Europe and marked a first step of a long term process of strengthening and empowering civil society. The civil society in BiH is a key player in the countries democratization, and contributes to the construction of overall European civil society. During the Forum the participants of the civil society, sharing equal values with European civil society shared experience, wishes and their dreams and debate on what they expect from the national and international institutions involved in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Many of the key issues addressed by the participants were youth related. Young people in BiH grow up in divided communities (entities and divisions within them) and therefore rarely share their everyday life, although they share the same problems. There are organizations working to change such a situation, but they rarely work together and cooperate. Therefore, Forums such as this one should be used to make the so needed change and mark a path towards working together.

The Forum was attended by more than a hundred participants from the same number of organizations of civil society. The Forum was organized by the Centre André Malraux of Sarajevo, CCFD – Terre solidaire, the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Youth Initiative for Human Rights in BiH. The Forum was attended by Nikola Pandurić, Croatian Youth Network president. 

Invitation to presentation and counseling

We are happy to announce a presentation of the results of the youth projects implemented through Phare 2006 Program: Enabling active contribution of civil society organizations in preaccession process in the field of Youth Participation. Further more, we would like to invite you to participate in the counseling on the draft of the Act on public benefit organizations and Directives for implementation of the Code on consultations with interested public in the process of adoption of laws and regulations. The event will be organized on Thursday April 29 at the EU Info Centre and Zagreb Center for Independet Culture and Youth. Should you need more information, please contact our office.

CYN at Volunteering Days at Faculty of Economics

Croatian Youth Network participated at Volunteering Days held at Faculty of Economics in Zagreb on 13 and 14 April.

Volunteering Days gathered 15 NGOs which offer volunteering opportunities for young people. Participants were able to get acquainted with activities of NGOs and their volunteering opportunities and they could also attend several interesting presentations and lectures on the topic of volunteering.

Training on Public Advocacy for activists in Istria County

Youth organization ZUM from Pula, which is a member of the CYN, organized training on public advocacy in Crikvenica. Training which began on April 8 and lasted until April 11 was attended by 14 participants from the entire Istria County.

During the course of the training participants were presented with concepts such as public policy, youth policy, local and regional youth policy, top - down vs. bottom – up approach and public advocacy. Moreover, trainers (Anamarija Sočo and Nikola Buković of the CYN) presented a number of successful public advocacy initiatives coming from youth sector (and NGO sector in general), as well as some examples where authorities have shown openness for youth participation.

Finally, participants assisted by trainers planned their own public advocacy activities that will aim to amend some problems in their communities. These actions will be implemented by the end of this year, with the support of  the ZUM and the CYN.

Presentation of the publication on School Students' Councils

On March 26, the Centre for Independent Culture and Youth in Zagreb hosted presentation of publication entitled “School Students’ Councils: Role of School Students in Decision Making Processes”. 
Emina Bužinkić and Martina Horvat, co – authors opened the discussion. They were followed by Helena Miladić,  Head of the Youth Unit in the administration of City of Zagreb,  Benjamin Tkalčec, Vice – President of the National School Students’ Council of Croatia and Duje Bonacci, Spokesman of the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports. The discussion was facilitated by Ivan Novosel of the YNGO Legalis.

Afterwards, more than 30 participants, mostly representatives of school students’ councils from Zagreb area participated in lively discussion on various topics: need to make educational structures and processes more democratic and fitting to the needs of school students, usual problems that school students’ representatives encounter in their everyday work, capacities of school students to participate within decision making processes in their schools and their communities alike. One of the recommendations that was formulated through this discussion was importance of introducing education for democracy as a part of formal educational curricula at all levels. By many participants, it was considered as “must” in order to achieve any kind of influence on democratic processes in schools and society alike.

Lecture on youth policy on Bulgarian School of Politics

Today, on March 25th, Emina Buzinkic from the Croatian Youth Network has conducted a lecture 'Youth Policy as a Public Policy' at the Bulgarian School of Politics in Sarajevo. Composed of some 30 participants from countries from broader Balkan region, Bulgarian School of Politics adressed an interesting topic for the second seminar in a row. Title of the seminar is CHALLENGES TO YOUTH ENGAGEMENT AND YOUTH POLICY DEVELOPMENT IN THE BALKANS: GOOD PRACTICES AND LESSONS TO LEARN. The lecture on youth policy was followed by 3 workshops on: political decision-making process, institutional frame, and comparative analyses on youth policies in the Balkans, with the emphasis on policy solutions to youth unemployment and other youth issues.

CYN guest on the elections for the representative in the National School Students' Council

On March 24, elections for the representative of Varaždin County in the National School Students’ Council were held in the Varaždin County Regional Assembly. Over 60 young representatives of school students’ councils of Varaždin County elected Tomislav Kostanjevac to be their representative in the school students’ advisory council at the national level.
During the elections, Nikola Buković of the Croatian Youth Network briefly presented CYN’s publication: "School Students’ Councils: Role of School Students in the Decision Making Processes".

6th Regional Forum for Transitional Justice

6th Regional Forum for Transitional Justice was held in Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia through March 20th and 21st 2010. Forum was opened by vice president of Executive Board of Autonomic Region of Vojvodina Ana Tomanova Makanova and chief of Delegation of European commission to the Republic of Serbia Vincent Degert. In the context of Forum, public hearing of victims and witnesses of war crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina was held. Discussion on the model of the Coalition for RECOM was opened by Felix Reategui, chief of unit for report of Commission for truth and reconciliation in Peru and Cristian Correa, secretary of the Commission for political imprisonments and torture - The Valech Commission in Chile.

Forum was preceded by the Assembly of the Coalition for RECOM held on Friday, March 19th 2010. Assembly was deciding on the changes of the Statute of the Coalition for RECOM, voting for new members of the Coordinating committee and discussing on the report on activities and financial report for the period between two assemblies. Croatian Youth Network was represented on both Assembly and Forum by Cvijeta Senta from the Centre for Peace Studies and working group for youth of the Coalition for RECOM Croatia.

More information is available at the web page of the Coalition, www.korekom.org and at the web page of Documenta – Centre for Dealing with the past.

Training for the Samobor City Youth Advisory Board

On March 20 trainers of the Croatian Youth Network, Nikola Buković and Nikola Pandurić, held a training for the members of the Samobor City Youth Advisory Board.
The programme included detail presentation of the Act on Youth Advisory Boards, also giving a chance to participants to offer their views on how it could be improved. Training also included counselling on methods on how to overcome difficulties in Board's everyday work and practical exercises, aiming to strengthen participants in dealing with issues that often brought to the attention of Youth Advisory Boards.

YFJ Networking Days in Bulgaria

From March 11th -14th 2010, Networking Days took place in Hisar, Bulgaria. The aim of this event was to gather representatives of youth organizations (youth NGOs and political parties) in order to empower them for establishing National Youth Council in Bulgaria. Apart from 40 participants from Bulgaria, this event welcomed guests from Croatia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Serbia. They presented process of establishing youth councils in their countries, as well as structure and membership criteria in their national youth councils.  Croatian case was presented by Marija Hrebac, Vice-President of the Croatian Youth Network.

News in the area of independent culture and youth

On March 17th an Assembly of the Alliance for the Center independent culture and youth was held. Members of the Assembly have voted a decision on change of the name. New name of the organization is: Alliance of associations Operation City, in short Operation City. New Steering Board was elected and is composed of: Miljenka Buljević, Kulturtreger and Nemeza (president), Emina Bužinkić, the Croatian Youth Network (vice president), members: Katarina Pavić, Clubture, Tomislav Medak, Multimedia Institute, Petra Zanki, Eks scena and Banana Gerila, Sanja Burlović, Attack and Emina Višnić, Zagreb center for independent culture and youth - The POGON. The Assembly has voted new member organizations: Croatian Jeunesse Musical, Banana Gerila, Bad Co., DeLVe, Kurziv, Contemporary Art Studio, UBU, Jazz Art.

Appearance in a TV show

On Wednesday, March 17th Ines Perković from CYN and Mario Mažić from Youth Initiative for Human Rights appeared in a TV show „Daily Show" on Open Television. The show was hosted by journalist Patricija Kompesak. The incentive for the CYN's appearance was the UNITED's campaign „European Action Week against Racism“. On Saturday, March 13th, the Croatian Youth Network has organized a workshop 'Knowledge against racism' within the European Action Week Against Racism. The workshop has gathered 12 young persons who learned and warned on serious consequences of racism and it's social influence.

Thematic session of the Council for Youth on youth violence prevention

On March 16 the Council for Youth held a thematic session on combating and preventing violence among young people. This topic has already been emphasized on earlier sessions as a crucial one within the annual working programme of the Council.

Fruitful and interesting debate led to a number of valuable recommendations, one of them being that vital role in combating and preventing youth violence must be given to education for democracy that should be integrated as an individual subject in the school curricula. Representatives of the CYN, Women’s group B.a.b.e , Centre for Peace Studies and Centre for Human Rights have stressed out that this subject usually integrates elements of education for peace and non violence, which are instrumental in combating and preventing violence.
 

Youth Studies launched!

The Croatian Youth Network has launched the first year of “FOCUS YOUTH: YOUTH STUDIES”, educational programme intended for young people motivated to learn about position of young people in Croatia and Europe, problems they encounter and are willing to think about possible approaches on how to mitigate them. In a number of states which are set on achieving European standards of youth policy, youth studies are implemented as non formal education or academic programmes. In the first year of their Croatian version, YS will be carried out as a non formal programme which will include seminars, practical work and open lectures on topics relevant for Croatian youth.

The first generation of YS will include 20 distinguished young individuals coming from different fields of society: NGO, politics, business and media. We hope that upon completion of YS participants will be empowered and motivated to work on promoting youth participation, improving youth standard and establishing an affirmative role that young people should have within their societies.
Organization of YS has been made possible by the support of the National Foundation for Civil Society Development.

Training on sexual and reproductive health and rights of young people

Training on sexual and reproductive health and rights of young people (SRHR), organized by the International Planned Parenthood Federation and the European Youth Forum, was held from 9 to 13 March in Brussels.

The training brought together 15 young activists from across Europe who work on the promotion of SRHR. Through a series of interesting activities, participants explored the attitudes, values and knowledge on SRHR and connections between different aspects of sexual health, such as the differences, relationship and sexual behavior. They also explored the most important policy document on compehensive sexual education and how to work with volunteers.

Croatian Youth Network also participated in training and continues with its advocacy activities in this field.

Open Door Day of the Youth Advisory Board of Samobor

On Saturday, March 13, the Youth Advisory Board of Samobor organized Open Door Day. Its aim was to present function that  Youth Adisory Boards have in local development. Also, Open Door Day was an excellent opportunity for the Advisory Board to promote initiatives and projects initiated on their belhaf.
As a guest lecturer Nikola Bukovic of the CYN  held a lecture on national, and local youth policy development, as well as on potential improvements of the Act on Youth Advisory Boards.

Workshop 'Knowledge against racism' held

On Saturday, March 13th, the Croatian Youth Network has organized a workshop 'Knowledge against racism' within the European Action Week Against Racism. The workshop has gathered 12 young persons who learned and warned on serious consequences of racism and it's social influence. Workshop leader was Mario Mažić from the Youth Initiative for Human Rights. The workshop was held in Zagreb Center for Independent Culture and Youth.

CYN presentation to students from Bosnia and Herzegovina

On March 12th, a presentation of Croatian NGO's was held in premises of Green Action for visitors from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Study visit of Bosnian students was organised by Youth Information Agency in order to give young students more information on work of several NGO's in Croatia. Organisations that were presented on that evening were Croatian Youth Network, Volunteer's Center Zagreb, Croatian Youth Hostel Assocciation, student initiative for access to education, and Green Action. During presentation of above mentioned NGO's emphasis was placed on youth activism and what can NGO sector offer to young people from Bosnia. Interest of the Bosnian group was on work of Croatian Youth Network and its' member organizations in Croatia and posibility to establish cooperation with similar organisations from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

 

Selected members of the Council for Civil Society Development

The Governmental Office for cooperation with NGOs has initiated process of nominating civil society representatives to the new mandate of the Council for Civil Society Development to the Goverment of the RoC. As for the area of Youth Participation the representatives of the Croatian Youth Network were selected. Our candidates were Katarina Pavić, Vice-president with a mandate of a full member and Emina Bužinkić, Secretary General, as a deputy (current member of the Council).

List of other candidates

CYN participated in the Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health

From Wednesday 10 of March to Friday 12 of March in Parma, Italy the Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health is being held. The topic of the conference is protecting children's health in a changing environment. From Monday 8 of March a preparatory meeting for youth delegates was held in order to prepare the them for the conference. Youth delegates will have presented ideas, demands and declaration that was drafted in the preparatory meeting. The conference is organized by the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, and the host country is Italy. The Croatian Youth Network is also present at the conference through its president Nikola Pandurić whose participation was made possible by DG SANCO.

The progress of the conference will be presented at the blog:

env-health-youth.blogspot.com

Workshop: "Independent and Included Youth"

On Saturday, 06 of March a workshop «Independent and Included Youth – Meeting of Youth and representatives of institutions» was held. The workshop was organized by organizations IGRA and FORUM. Its goals were to produce recommendations for improving the status of youth leaving their foster families and other institutions of care and to present the educational brochure for youth Katapult.  The workshop took place in the Human Rights House Zagreb, and was attended by Nikola Pandurić from the Croatian Youth Network.
 

ALF Forum in Barcelona

From March 4th to 7th, Anna Lindh Forum in Barcelona was held. It was organized by Anna Lindh Foundation coordinated from Alexandria. Forum on inter-cultural dialogue was held within the framework of the Union for Mediterranean. Focus was on euro-mediterranean partnership and has gatheres more than 700 representatives of civil society organizations and relevant institutions from 43 member countries. In all 43 countries, national network of ALF were established with a task of coordination of international cooperation. National coordinator in Croatia is the National Foundation for Civil Society Development whose member is Croatian Youth Network. CYN was represented on the Forum by Emina Bužinkić who presented a project idea on youth studies.

Youth Work Development Working Group meets in Serbia

The third meeting of the Youth Work Development Working Group of the European Youth Forum was held in Serbia from 4 to 7 March. One of the members of the Group is Croatian Youth Network representative Anamarija Sočo, who also attended the meeting.

The meeting was held in Belgrade and Leskovac and it was very constructive. The Working Group first met with representatives of Youth Council of the Republic of Srpska where they discussed possible forms of cooperation with the European Youth Forum. In Belgrade they met with representatives of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Initiative for the establishment of the youth umbrella organization of Serbia (KOMS). The Initiative members talked about the challenges they face in the preparation period and they also announced the founding assembly of KOMS was to take place in May.

Group meeting resumed in Leskovac where members had the opportunity to meet local youth organizations and learn more about local youth policy. At the meeting of the Group also discussed the next steps to support the establishment of youth umbrella organizations in the region of Southeast Europe and the novelties in the field of global youth work.

Workshop: "Ignorance is the Highway to Racism"

On March 13, Croatian Youth Network is organizing a workshop entitled: “Ignorance is the Highway to Racism”. Workshop will take place within the facilities of the Zagreb Centre for Independent Culture and Youth.

 General Assembly of the United Nations declared 21 March the International Day of Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination.
Each year around 21 March NGOs, universities, schools, municipalities and a wide variety of different organisations carry out hundreds of activities all around Europe in order to stress out that racism is still a considerable problem that is still present within our societies.
The workshop will bring together 20 young persons from Croatia that will spend the day together learning from each other, exchanging experiences, sharing problems related to issues of racism and discrimination, making efforts in defining them, understanding their causes and finally, reflecting on the most effective ways on mitigating them on regular basis.
Campaign coordinator is Ines Perkovic from Croatian Youth Network and the Workshop trainer will be Mario Mazic from Youth Initiative for Human Rights.
 

Appearance in a TV show "Who cares?"

On Wednesday, 03 March Nikola Pandurić, president of the Croatian Youth Network and Katarina Pavić, vice-president, appeared in a TV show „Who cares?“ on Croatian Radiotelevision, second channel. The show was hosted by Ivan Planinić. Katarina and Nikola presented the Croatian Youth Network, its work and development, and the possibilities and problems of youth in Croatia. The incentive for the CYN's appearance was the campaign „Infect yourselves with activism“ which promotes active, responsible and action oriented life of youth.  

Session of the Committee on the Family, Youth and Sports

On Tuesday, 02 March Committee on the Family, Youth and Sports in the Croatian Parliament held a session with the main subject: „Youth and unemployment“. Data provided by the Croatian Employment Service states that the number of unemployed people reached 309 000 people of which 32.3 percent were youth till the age of 29. 

CYN presentation to highschool students

On February 26, Croatian Youth Network held a presentation on its' work for grammar school students from Sisak. Presentation was held within the class of Ethics lead by
professor Marina Kasa. For the same students CYN will organize education on human rights in May.

Workshop on public advocacy

On Saturday 27 February, a one day workshop was held on the premises of the organization Muscular Dystrophy Society of Istria with the topic “Public advocacy”. The workshop was attended by the members of the coalition for the founding of Istria Youth Council.  Workshop for the future members of the Council was held by Nikola Pandurić, the Croatian Youth Network President, and the main organizer and financial support was done by the organization ZUM from Pula, the initiator of the project for the foundation of the Istria Youth Council. Beside the workshop on public advocacy, action planning for the coalition was held to support the work until the founding assembly of Istria Youth Council. 

Possibilities of heat solar systems

On Thursday February 25 2010 in Zagreb a one day seminar was held with the topic „Possibilities of heat solar systems“. The goal of the seminar was to promote the use of renewable energy resources, especially solar energy which could be greatly used in the countries such as Croatia. Unfortunately, Croatia uses only a very small portion of this opportunity even in the parts such as southern Dalmatia where no question on the adequacy of solar energy should be raised for the production of heat or electrical energy.  Goal of the seminar was to present the current achievements and encourage further use of solar energy.

With the support of the organizers ENERGETIKA MARKETING the seminar was attended by Nikola Pandurić.

Evening IDEATOR 2010

On Friday 19 February,  the Society of Innovators "SIGMA"  with the support of the City Assembly of the City of Zagreb and the Croatian Association of Innovators, held the Evening IDEATORA 2010 on the occasion of presenting the Project IDEATOR and open Public competition for awarding annual prizes IDEATOR and IDEATOR RESOLUTION. Details of the competition are available on the web site of the organizers and in the “YOUTH INFO” section. 

Following the organizers invitation, Croatian Youth Network was present in the event through it’s President Nikola Pandurić.

CYN participated in a public consultation of the National Foundation for Civil Society Development

National Foundation for Civil Society Development organized a public consultation on information and promotion systems and forms of grant schemes.

Consultations were organized as a part of Info days on funding opportunities for NGOs in Croatia, organized by State Office for Cooperation with NGOs.

Croatian Youth Network participated at the consultation and submitted their suggestions which you can learn more about here.

Info Days 2010.

On February 25/26 Ministry of Public Administration hosted Info Days on funding opportunities for NGOs in Croatia. Info Days were focused on grants funded from national budget and lottery incomes. Representatives of all public entities could present timetables of their calls for proposals, explain some of their more relevant features and were able to provide answers to questions of potential beneficiaries.
These Info Days were organized by the Office for Cooperation with NGOs.

Second meeting of the National Committee for the Development of Volunteering

The National Committee for the Development of Volunteering held it second session on 22 February in Zagreb.

The work report of the National Committee in the previous two-year term was adopted.

Members also discussed the draft action plan of the National Committee for the seconf term - from January 2010 till January 2012. Activities are planned in accordance with the defined tasks of the National Committee, and defined measures for the development of volunteering within the Operational Plan of Implementation of the National Strategy for the Creation of a Stimulating Environment for the Development of Civil Society from 2006 to 2011.

Cooperation of national youth councils

From February 19 to 21 in Toledo, Spain, a meeting of southern national youth councils was held with a thematics of cooperation of national youth councils and influence to youth policies nationally and at European level. Within the framework of Spanish Presidency over EU, a National Consultations on youth employment in EU were organized. Dialogue on youth employment will be continued within the framework of Belgic presidency. Croatian Youth Network was represented by Emina Bužinkić, the Secretary General.

A very interesting campaing made by Spanish Youth Council (Consejo de la Juventud de la Espana) that hosted the event was presented. More information could be read at EUROPAJOVEN2010.ORG.

JIM/JAP conference

On Thursday, 11th of February, a conference Impact of Economic Crisis on the Republic of Croatia on continuation of activities and executions of measures under the Joint Assessment of the Employment Policy Priorities of the Republic of Croatia (JAP) and Joint Memorandum on Social Inclusion of the Republic of Croatia (JIM) was held. The conference was organized by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ministry of the Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship and DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. Conference was attended by representatives of the government institutions and agencies as well as civil society organizations. The concluding remarks included the need of addressing promptly youth unemployment and mismatch of the current educational system and the labour market needs. On behalf of the Croatian Youth Network, the conference was attended by Nikola Pandurić.

Meeting with German MP Sarazzin

On Sunday, February 14, CYN Secretary General Emina Bužinkić had a meeting with Manuel Sarazzin, German Member of Parliament (Deutscher Bundestag) and Member of the Committee on the Affairs of the European Union, and with research assistant Maja Ifland. Meeting topics were focused on youth, youth values in Croatia and EU, support to Croatia accession to EU among youth population, issues of youth violence, relations between Serbia and Croatia, and processes of dealing with the past. Visit of MP Sarazzin was hosted by Vedran Horvat from Heinrich Bell Stiftung located in Zagreb.

Lecture on local youth policy

From 5th to 7th of February, a meeting of executive members of scout organizations  was held in hostel Karlovac in Selce by the Scout Association of Croatia, a member organization of the Croatian Youth Network. During the meeting, a lecture “Youth advisory boards and youth councils” was held to educate the executive members of what youth policies and politics are and show the possibilities of future engagement. The lecture was held by Nikola Pandurić, president of the CYN.

Workshop on UPR

On Thursday, 4th of February 2010, a public debate was held in the Center for Human Rights in Zagreb. The topics were recommendations of UN committees for Croatia in 2009 and a workshop on UN’s UPR mechanism.  Main speaker was Florian Irminger, Head of the Geneva office, Human Rights House Foundation. After the workshop, a decision to form a national coalition of civil society organisation  dealing with human rights in Croatia which will make a report on the state of human rights in Croatia was made. Croatian Youth Network joined the coalition and other organizations are welcome to join as well by sending an email to Sanja Sarnavka: sanjasarnavka@gmail.com.

New session of the Council for Youth

The new session of the Governmental Council for Youth was held on Friday, January 27th where the Workplan for 2010 was adopted. Members have agreed on the next session which is to be held soon with the thematics of youth violence prevention. Members have discussed about implementation of the National Youth Strategy too. The Ministry of Family, War Veterans' Affairs and Intergenerational Solidarity has presented evaluation questionnaire that was to be filled in by all governmental institutions competent of implementation of the strategy by the end of January. 

Meeting on Euro-Med Youth Policies and Intercultural Dialogue

From the 25th to the 28th of January 2010, the meeting ‘Euro-Med Youth Policies on Intercultural Dialogue’ took place in Strasbourg as part of the preparation for the Anna Lindh Forum 2010.

The meeting was co-organised by the Foundation’s headquarters in partnership with the Council of Europe and the European Commission.

It tackled four major themes related to intercultural dialogue policies: mobility; integration and coexistence, non-formal education and new media.

The meeting brought together twenty-five youth leaders and youth workers from the Anna Lindh National Networks and partners.

It gave an insight into youth policies in the region and the status of cooperation, as well as contributions to the development of recommendations for action in the framework of the Anna Lindh Forum 2010.

Croatian Youth Network also participated at the meeting as a member of the Croatian Network for Euro-Med Cooperation.

Conference: "Youth Participation within the Community"

Vogosca near Sarajevo hosted the first conference: "Youth Participation within the Community" from January 22 to 24. This conference is an integral part of the project "Youth Forces" conducted by NGO CIVITAS. The most important objectives of this project are: strengthening of youth sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina, increasing  youth influence within the society and  local communities as well. All of the 150 young participants are entitled to begin networking processes in their communities, thus establishing themselves as a relevant political factor.
Croatian experiences in youth policy and youth sector development were presented by Nikola Bukovic, Programme Assistant with the CYN.

Training for Youth Advisory Boards

Human Rights in Primary Schools

Center for Human Rights presented the research on 'Human Rights in Primary Schools' on Wednesday, January 20th in Kino Mosor in Zagreb. Presentation was moderated by Center's director Tin Gazivoda. The research was presented by Jagoda Novak, research coordinator; Vedrana Spajić Vrkaš, researcher and Maja Sever, representative of Parents' Council. CYN's representative E.Bužinkić participated in discussion. 

Reserach can be found on web site of Human Rights Center. 

Youth policy - new steps

On Tuesday, January 19th 2010, the presentation of publication 'Youth Policy - Croatian and European practice' of authors Emina Bužinkić, Nikola Buković and other co-authors was held in Zagreb, in newly opened House of Human Rights. 

After the introductory presentation of the contents of the publication, main speakers at the event were: Đurđa Adlešić, Vice president of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, Igor Vidačak, Head of the Governmental Office for cooperation with NGOs, director of the National Foundation for Civil Society Development Cvjetana Plavša Matić and consultant Anka Kekez Koštro from MAP Consulting. 

Participants of the debate were: Martina Štabi, Ministry of Family, Veterans' Affairs and Intergenerational Solidarity; Nikola Pandurić, President of CYN; Katarina Pavic, vice president of CYN and coordinator of  Clubture; Bojana Klepač Pogrmilović, journalist, Ana Preveden, ZUM, Ivan Vuk, KRIK; Srecko Puhek, Youth Forum of the SDP; Teo Božanić, HAZ; Iva Sušić, MHDZ; Tomislav Tomašević, Green Action; Cvijeta Senta, Center for Peace Studies; Emina Višnić, Zagreb Center for Independent Culture and Youth; Sanja Sarnavka and Suzana Kunac, B.a.B.e,, Bojan Smode, The GovernmentalYouth Council; Sanja Cesar and Nataša Bijelić, CESI; Milan Medić,Center for Civic Initiatives; Jill Benderly, SIT, Amir Hodžić; Lidija Burić, consultant and other colleagues. We would like to thank to all debate participants for support. The presentation was attended by some 60 representatives of universities, government institutions,local governments, civil society organizations and youth associations.

'Youth policy - Croatian and European practice' - publication presentation

Presentation will take place at Human Rights House, Selska 112a. Publication will be presented by authors Emina Bužinkić and Nikola Buković. Guest speakers will be: Đurđa Adlešić, vice-president of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and president of the Council for Youth to the Government of RoC; Anka Kekez Koštro, consultant from MAP Consulting d.o.o.; dr.sc. Zdravko Petak, professor at Public Policy Department of the Faculty of Political Science in Zagreb; dr.sc. Igor Vidačak, Head of the Governmental Office for cooperation with NGOs; Martina Štabi, Head of the Department for Youth at the Ministry of Family, Veterans' Affairs and Intergenerational Solidarity, and Cvjetana Plavša - Matić, Head of the National Foundation for Civil Society Development. Discussion will be moderated by activist Vesna Kesić.

National Committee for the Development of Volunteering meets for the first time

The first meeting of the newly elected National Committee for the Development of Volunteering was held on 11 December in the premises of the Ministry of Family, Veterans and Intergenerational Solidarity.

Members adopted the Rules of Procedure of the National Committee and elected a new presidency. Ms Gordana Forčić was elected president of the National Committee. The new Vice President is Mr Igor Vidačak.

Next Meeting of the National Committee is scheduled in late February when the new work plan for a two-year term will be adopted.

Call for training for members of youth advisory boards to the local governments

Croatian Youth Network announces training for established youth advisory boards to the regional and local governments with the goal of empowerment of young people in advisory and decision-making processes. Training is a part of the project on strengthening the mechanisms for the involvement of young people and encourage their participation in advisory and decision-making processes that Croatian Youth Network has conducted since June, 2009 with the financial support of The World Bank.

Training will be held in Zagreb on 22 and 23 January. The deadline for applications is January 19th.

Invitation letter

Application form

National Committee for the development of volunteerism

Ministry of Family, Weterans' Affairs and Intergenerational Solidarity has appointed members of the National Committee for the development of volunteering (NN br.152/09.) based on decision of the Governemnt of the Republic of Croatia dated on December 10th, 2009.

Appointed member of the National Committee for the development of volunteerism on behalf of the Croatian Youth Network is Anamarija Sočo.

The fifth session of the Council for Youth

On Tuesday, 22 December 2009 The Council for Youth held a session. Session was chaired by Vice president of the Governmentof the RoC, Đurđa Adlešic. Main debate was led on the workplan proposals for 2010. In addition to monitoring implementation of the National Program for Youth, prioritiy of the Council's work will be prevention of violence among and towards youth.

News in Informing

The Croatian Youth Network is opening a new mailing list: info@mmh.lista.hr.

The list will serve to disseminate diverse information on civil society, youth sector and opportunities for education.

Should you wish to recieve information via the Info list, please contact us so we could subscribe you.

Research on NGO participation in legislative processes

On December 16 European House Zagreb hosted presentation of a relevant research conducted by NGO "ODRAZ-Sustainable community development" and Institute for International Relations. Research focused on practices of NGO inclusion in processes of law making and drafting of other legal acts. Research gave practical recommendations for NGOs and public administration on how to make NGO participation in this process more effective.

Croatian Youth Network was one of 35 NGOs which participated in this research on a national level.
 

Training on the Act on Youth Advisory Boards

Training on the Act on Youth Advisory Boards was held for representatives of advisory boards, youth organizations and representatives of city/municipality administration from Ozalj, Žakanje, Duga Resa and Kamanj on December 15. Training took place in Žakanj and resulted with action plans aiming to improve functioning of existing youth advisory boards and to give guidelines on how to establish  youth advisory boards in those municipalities that at the moment do not have them as a part of their institutional framework.

Info and Networking Days in Serbia

From 10 to 13 December Info and Networking Days took place in Sremski Karlovci, Serbia. This event was organized by the European Youth Forum (YFJ) and its aim was to facilitate establishment of National Youth Council of Serbia. To meet that end, number of representatives coming from NYCs which are already members of YFJ were called to present their experiences in establishing youth council, defining its mission and vision. Also, some aspects of everyday functioning of NYC were presented and action plan of following actions that should lead to establishment of Serbian NYC was drafted.

CYN was represented on Info and Networking Days by Nikola Bukovic, Programme Assistant.

22nd Meeting of the Council for the Development of Civil Society

On Friday, the 11th December a session of the Council for the Development of Civil Society took place in the Government of the RoC. Discussion was led about a proposal of the the Rules of the Council for the Development of Civil Society and Electoral Commission with respect to elections for the new Council members planned for next year.
Consultation on the draft proposal of the Act on public benefit organizations was announced. Discussion was led also about the progress of implementation of the Operational Plan of the National Strategy for the creation of enabling environment for civil  society development.
It was announced that the NGO Days will be organized in late April next year.

Panel discussion 'Solidarity of Excluded' at the opening of the Human Rights House

On Thursday, the 10th December, on International Human Rights Day, in Zagreb was opened the Human Rights House as a project which included some of the most active non-governmental organizations involved in the promotion and protection of human rights in Croatia. On this occasion, within the Human Rights Film Festival, a panel discussion on "solidarity of excluded" was organized. It is also the solidarity of marginalized and excluded social groups, and (mutual) solidarity among the excluded. Emphasizing this second aspect of solidarity, we suggest there are multiple mechanisms of social exclusion and to someone who is excluded from social life based on certain criteria, indeed can exclude the other by some other basis. Lines of demarcation there are unstable and fragile alliances in the opposition and mostly temporary. With Tin Gazivoda from the Center for Human Rights moderating, on the topic discussed: Emina Bužinkić (Croatian Youth Network), Stipe Ćurković (Independent Student Initiative), Zoran Pusić (Citizens' Committee for Human Rights) and Sanja Sarnavka (B.a.B.e.).

Before the discussion a documentary movie "Meeting" made by Igor Bezinović was shown. Movie shows students from the Faculty of Philosophy supporting Peasant protests in front of the Ministry of Agriculture. Despite the fact that this event was present in all media, this movie is the only video record of the unusual one-day meeting of students and peasants.
 

Ice Hall Jedinstvo

Meeting the new year and creation of city budget, and considering the current problems over the use of space, the event in the Ice Hall Jedinstvo with the professional tour of Santa Claus wa held yesterday on Dec 9th. Conversation about the future of space of former factory Jedinstvo and development of the Zagreb center for independent culture and youth took place. With a glass of cooked wine, a raffle with many valuable prizes was played. Croatian Youth Network won a hot water bottle and hot water bottle + in red and blue colour, and as one of the premium prizes usage of the Crystal Hall with THE HEATING.

Changes at the Croatian Youth Network

From December 3rd to 5th, in Hostel Karlovac in Selce Ordinary Thematic and Electoral Assembly of Croatian Youth Network was held. Assembly gathered some 50 delegates of member organizations of CYN. The Assembly was organized in cooperation with the Association of Youth Selce with financial support of City of Crikvenica and Primorsko-Goranska County. Assembly was officially opened by: Žarko Stilin, coordinator of the Association of Youth Selce, Emina Bužinkić, former president of the Croatian Youth Network, Senko Smoljan, Deputy Mayor of the City of Crikvenica, Nada Turina Đuric, deputy mayor of Primorsko-Goranska County, and Martina Štabi, Head of the Department of Children and Youth in the Ministry of Family, War Veterans and Intergenerational Solidarity.

Given the nature of the electoral assembly, the newly elected president of the MMH is Nikola Pandurić, president of the youth association K.V.A.R.K. from Križevci. A new member of the Managing Board is Vedrana Vitković-Biličić from the association MOST Split.

The full membership this year received the following organizations: Moslavina Media Service from Kutina, Association of Croatian students from Split, Independent youth association Ivanska from Ivanska, Iuvenis - Trogir Youth Initiative from Trogir and JEF (Young European Federalists) from Zagreb.

The candidate membership have received these organizations: Delta from Rijeka, the Association of Youth Selce from Selce, VUK from Varaždin, TABU from Vukovar, Croatian debating society from Zagreb, the Youth Voice Križevci from Križevci.

In addition, the Steering Committee and members of the Croatian Youth Network brought a series of guidelines for the next period in the areas of: the non-formal education, accessibility of higher education, sexual and reproductive rights of young people, the financing of youth organizations, employment and employability of young people, dealing with the past and the freedom of organizing of youth organizations.

In the Assembly a round table on 'National program for youth 2009-2013 - Steps for the future development of public policy for youth' was held. Speakers at the round table were: Martina Štabi, Head of the Department of Children and Youth in the Ministry of Family, War Veterans and Intergenerational solidarity, Tine Radinje, president of the European Youth Forum, Bojan Smode, member of the Council for Youth to the Government and Emina Bužinkić, CYN former president and member of the Council for Youth to the Government.

3rd National consultation with youth organizations on dealing with the past held in Selce

Within the frame of the ordinary Assembly of the Croatian Youth Network the 3rd National consultation with youth organizations on dealing with past were held. Consultation was organized in collaboration of the Croatian Youth Network and the Documenta - Center for Dealing with the past. Participants of the consultations were: Eugen Jakovčić, media coordinator for REKOM from Documenta and Ivan Novosel from Legalis Association, and some 40 representatives of member associations of the Croatian Youth Network, other youth organizations and a few young individuals interested in the process of dealing with the past.

The consultation was aimed at stimulating discussion on the role of youth and youth organizations in fostering the process of telling the truth and learning the facts about the past, joint planning of youth organizations and youth themselves on the steps of action in the direction of seeking fairness and accountability in the process of dealing with the past.

Overview of the entire consultation process (http://www.korekom.org/webpage/108) and the most interesting moments in the development of the initiative can be read on website www.korekom.org.

'No borders' conference in Slovenia

Center for Information, Participation and NGO Development and the Association GONG organized the international conference of Slovenian and Croatian NGOs entitled "No-limits". The purpose of the conference was to exchange experiences and views on the economic crisis from the perspective of development opportunities of NGOs. The main emphasis of the conference was to define development opportunities in each country.

Through interesting panel discussions on topics such as civil dialogue, economic activities and social entrepreneurship, corporate social responsibility, and the parallel thematic discussions on the topic of environment protection, human rights, volunteering and inter-generational solidarity, youth work and humanitarian assistance, the participants attempted to define specific recommendations as outcomes from each discussion. The representative of Croatian Youth Network Teo Petricevic participated at the thematic debate on youth and presented current information on the state of youth sector in Croatia, looking particularly at issues of inconsistent financing of youth organizations.

The working group agreed to recommend the following:

1. It is necessary to design education and employment programs that will solve the problem of recognition of non-formal education, the problem of part-time employment, volunteering internships, the problem of the education system that produces university-educated young people without the competence to work, etc.
2. It is necessary to systematically invest in the education of youth organizations in the areas of organizational management and development, inter-sectoral cooperation and the creation of partnerships, the EU funds, etc.
3. It is necessary to create a program to encourage young self-initiative - the lack or non-enforcement of certain laws has resulted in a lack of proactive youth, which is currently reflected in social transfers (for example: many young people continue to live with their parents for a long time, etc.).
 

Training for representatives of students'councils from Zagreb area

On November 28./29. Croatian Youth Network and National School Students' Council of Republic of Croatia organized training for members of school students' councils from City of Zagreb. Training was counducted by Martina Horvat from CYN's member organization Ambidekster (also a member of the CYN's Managing Board) and Milica Bojic, member  of the Union of secondary school students of Serbia's Managing Board.

Participants were introduced with topics important for their future work, such as principles of school students' organizational structures in Croatia, number of European countries and on the European level. However, participants were also trained in number of useful skills such as: communication, team work, facilitation and etc. Final session of this training was reserved for action planing leading to draft plan of facilitation and strenghtening of Coordination of Students' Councils of Zagreb City. The Coordination will be an informal entity which will hopefully foster better communication and cooperation among students' councils form Zagreb area.

National consultation with youth organizations on dealing with the past

We would like to invite you to the consultation process on dealing with the past and transitional justice related initiative for the establishment of a Regional Commission for establishing the facts about war crimes and other serious violations of human rights in the former Yugoslavia (REKOM) which will be held on Thursday, the 3rd December 2009, in Selce near Crikvenica, starting at 15.00h. Consultations will be held in the hostel premises Karlovac, Emil Antić Street 69, as a part of an Assembly of the Croatian Youth Network.

Consultation speakers will be Eugen Jakovčić, media coordinator for REKOM from Documenta and Ivan Novosel from Legalis, members association of the Croatian Youth Working Group for Initiative for REKOM. Consultation will be moderated by Emina Bužinkić, president of CYN.

The aim of consultation is to stimulate discussion about the role of youth and youth organizations in fostering the process of  telling the truth and learning the facts about the past as well as a joint planning among youth organizations and youth themselves on the steps of action in the direction of seeking justice and accountability in the process of dealing with the past in their local communities.

Consultation are organized by the Croatian Youth Network, Documenta - Center for Dealing with the past, and the Croatian Youth Working Group for Initiative for REKOM.

Overview of the entire consultation process (http://www.korekom.org/webpage/108) and the most interesting moments in the development of the initiative are available at website www.korekom.org.

Please confirm your participation at info@mmh.hr or 01/4573 937 no later than Tuesday, the December 1st at 12 o'clock.

Invitation letter and programme

Initiative History

Why REKOM?

Info Week in Zagreb

Info Week of the Croatian Youth Network took place in Zagreb, in period 16.-20. November. Number of acitivities organized together with its partners was an attempt made by CYN to inform youth organizations and general public form Northern Croatia and Zagreb on its acitivities.

The first day was reserved for press conference in which representatives of the CYN presented new position paper on addiction and adequate ways of prevention. Position paprer strongly advocates inclusion of youth organizations in cooperation with public authorities, mainly trough educational and awareness rasing activities.

On the second day of Info Week round table (together with NGOs Academy for Political Development and B.a.B.e.) was organized. I t was entitled: "Fast track to EU-Youth Falling Behind?". Increasingly europsceptic attitudes  among young population are reason for considerable concerns, especially considering the fact that date of Croatian accession to the EU is coming ever so closer.

Presentation of the book: "Youth and Peace-building-Analysis of the activities of peace builiding within youth organizations and organizations working with youth" was held on the third day of Info Week. Book came about as a result of project conducted by the Center for Peace Studies  in partnership with the CYN.

On the fourth day Managing board of the CYN held meetings with representatives of member organizations from Zagreb and Northern Croatia and with representatives of youth organizations form the same area. Further steps in better coordination of jont efforts were discussed on the meeting with member organizations. Also, number of representatives of organizations that have not yet joint CYN expressed and explicit commitment to do so.

The last day of Info Week was reserved for consultation with representatives of local and regional governments on the Act on Youth Advisory Boards. These were the last in the cycle of similar consultations, already held in other major Croatian cities (Rijeka, Split and Osijek). Following activitiy in that field is National conference of Youth Advisory Boards, which will take place also in Zagreb, on 22/23 of January 2010. The conference will be the end of consultative process which will have its final result in CYN's proposals of amendments of the Act on Youth Advisory Boards.
 

COMEM of the YFJ

Council of Members (COMEM) of the European Youth Forum took place in Torino, on 13-14 November 2009. The event gathered more than 150 delegates from the 99 Member Organisations of the European Youth Forum. The event was co-organised by the European Youth Forum and FNG-Forum Nazionale Giovani in cooperation with the City of Torino, European Youth Capital of 2010, and Regione Piemonte. COMEM was attended by E.Bužinkić, president of the Croatian Youth Network.

Workshop for multipliers of Youth in Action

Agency for Mobility and EU programmes organized the first workshop for multipliers of the Youth in Action programme in Croatia. The workshop was held in Zagreb on 11 November. Based on this year's competition, 13 persons from all over the country were selected as multipliers. They are all active in youth organizations, youth info-centers, youth clubs, etc., and they will have the task to inform and promote the Youth in Action programme to potential users (institutions and individuals).

The participants were, among other things, presented with the Action of the Programme which will be available to Croatian users in 2010. You can learn more here.

Sex education for youth

Public discussion on sex education of young people was organized on 10 October 2009 by Croatian Youth Network and the Center for Culture "Trešnjevka". Guests of this forum were: Nataša Bijelić (CESI), Dubravko Lepušić (gynecologist), Hrvoje Jurić (Faculty of Philosophy), Biserka Šavora (teacher - pedagogue) and Vesna Štefančić (CESI Youth Initiative).

The guests talked about the characteristics of successful sexuality education programs, examples of good practice of countries which have such forms of education, for example the Netherlands and Sweden.

Croatia has no sexual education in schools, but has many dedicated individuals who personally care for these issues, examplified by projects such as "Healthy Living" and "Knowledge is Pleasure". Young people are not passive in the entire process - a representative of the CESI Youth Initiative presented the action of young people seeking to open counseling centres about sexuality and reproductive health.

The main message is that it is important and necessary to introduce sex education in schools. This was once more stressed out by students from High School 9 from Zagreb who said that had not heard anything about sex in school except for sparse information about male and female sexual organs in biology classes. The Ministry maintains that it is not necessary to introduce sex education in schools because these topics are already covered in the school curriculum.

MIRamiDA Youth - 3rd training for local youth from Slavonia and Baranja

The Center for Peace Studies and the Croatian Youth Network held the 3rd Local training young MIRamiDA, training of peace-building and youth participation in the development of local youth policy. Training was held from November 4th to 8th. The training brought together 11 young people from Slavonia and Baranja. Training was focused on the following topics: teamwork, communication and shared decision making, local youth policies, public advocacy and activism of youth in the community. Topics are covered through the
participatory, experiential learning models.

Local training is part of a three-year program MIRamiDA Youth within which are held 3 national training of peace-building and 3 local trainings. Trainings have so far included about 90 young people from all over Croatia. Within this project, recommendations for the development of peace curricula were made.

Visit of the members of the World Bank's Board of Executive Directors

For the first time, members of the World Bank's Board of Executive Directors visited Croatia as a part of a three country trip to the Europe and Central Asia Region. The objective of the visit was to gain first hand experience about Croatia's economic and social challenges, see project activities financed by the World Bank and the IFC, and hear the views of senior officials on the country's economic priorities and plans, and their assesment of the collaboration with the World Bank Group. On this occasion, the World Bank held a reception on Oct 27th. E.Buzinkic, CYN President and leader of the project "Strengthening mechanisms for including youth in advisory and decision making processes at local and regional levels" through training and promotion of youth advisory boards supported by the World Bank, attended the reception.

Good practices and policies on sexual and reproductive health and rights of young people

Centre for Education, Counselling and Research organized conference "Good practices and policies on sexual and reproductive health and rights of young people" which took place on 27 October in Zagreb. What are the good practices and policies and how and who cares for the reproductive and sexual health and rights of young people? Participants had the opportunity to hear on these topics from experts from Europe and the United States, from representative of the Office of the Ombudsman for Children and the Institute for Public Health, and, of course, from young people themselves.

Conference was attended by over 80 representatives of Family Centers, Ministries, the Institute of Public Health, high schools, students' homes and civil society organizations.

Conclusions of the conference strongly indicate the need for continuous and systematic education of young people about sexual and reproductive health and rights, education which is adapted for young people and appropriate responses to their challenges. In addition, it is important to provide young people with access to clinics and counseling centers that are based on youth-friendly approach and confidentiality.

In 2008 and 2009 the Croatian Youth Network, in cooperation with CESI, implemented educational and advocacy project "Sex na ex" which aimed to encourage the establishment of youth clinics and counseling services. Based on these joint efforts the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare undertook initial steps to achieve this goal.

Meeting for Youth from Baska on participation in Baska Youth Advisory Board

Meeting of Youth from Baska Municipality was held on Friday 6 of November 2009 to discuss establishing the Youth Advisory Board of Baska Municipality. Following the Head of municipality Toni Juran's initiative, 20 young persons gathered and participated in the meeting. Denis Sgagliardi, President of the Supervisory board of the Croatian Youth Network, also participated in the meeting and gave an analysis of the  Law on Youth Advisory Boards with examples of good practice. Participants gave their suggestions and questions to the Head of municipality Toni Juran. At the end, the participants expressed their will to work with the Youth Advisory Board.
 

Training for members of the Youth Advisory Board of City of Karlovac

CYN trainers Nikola Panduric and Nikola Bukovic held a training for members of the Youth Advisory Board of City of Karlovac. This training took place in the facilities of member organization Domachi, on Friday, November 6.
Participants were empowered with basic knowledges on national and local youth policy. Trainers also presented institutional framework of local youth policy advocated by the CYN. Finally, participants with help of thier trainers drafted an action plan for the following 6 months period.

Training for School Students

Croatian Youth Network, together with National School Students' Council is organizing training for members of newly established Zagreb City Students' Coordination on  28/29 November in Human Rights Center in Zagreb.
Training will encompass basic information about national youth policy and vital role which students' organizations play within its scheme, networking skills (which will make participants more effective in creating strong student networks) and different models of students' organizational structures. Training will be conducted by Martina Horvat, member of the CYN's Managing Board and by Milica Bojic of the Union of the secondary school students of Serbia.

CYN Info Days in Osijek

Third Info Days of the Croatian Youth Network took place in Osijek, on Thursday and Friday 29/30 October. They were organized in cooperation with member organization Volonteers' Center Osijek.
The first activity were consultations with members of local and regional governments from Eastern Croatia on implementation of the Act on Youth Advisory Boards. Consultations were held in National and University Library Osijek. Introduction was given by Emina Buzinkic, president of the CYN, Zdenka Radić from member organization PRONI and Stjepan Čuraj, Vice President of the Regional Assembly.

Emina Buzinkić presented the proccess of drafting the Act and explained its aims and purposes. She referred to problems in its implementations.  Overview of European practices and experience was introduced by Ante Martić, former political adviser to the European Youth Forum. Martina Štabi from the Ministry of War Veterans, Family and Inter generational Solidarity explained the role of the Ministry in monitoring the implementation of this Act and informed the participants that Ministry will assemble a working group that will draft proposals of the amendments to the Act.

Second activity was a public debate on topic : " Focus: Youth-active participation of youth as a key step in addiction prevention."

Friday was a day intended for consultation with member organizations from Eastern Croatia at which representatives of the CYN presented the latest activities of the network and proposed plans for potential cooperation. Also, consultations were held with representatives of local youth organizations and organizations working with youth.

Following activity from this campaign will be INFO WEEK in Zagreb, 16-22 October. Soon you will find more information on www.mmh.hr.

Creative workshop for Knin youth

The 3rd workshops for youth - the future users and creators of the Multifunctional Youth Centre was held in Knin from 23 to 25 October. The workshop was organized by the Croatian Youth Network in order to raise the capacity of young people in Knin in the joint project of the Croatian Youth Network and the city of Knin.

The workshop provided the opportunity for high-schoolers to try to create woolen jewelry and bags and other usable items out of recycled plastic bags. The aim of the workshop was to initiate and encourage potential future self-financing practices and activities of the Youth Centre.

The workshop was led by Marica Modrić (Knin) and Maša Žarnić (Zagreb), and brought together 15 high school students who are interested in involvement in the Youth centre.

The project "Multifunctional Youth Centre in Knin" was supported by the National Foundation for Civil Society.

Info Days of the CYN in Split

Second Info Days of the Croatian Youth Network took place in Split, on Thursday and Friday 22/23 October. They were organized in cooperation with member organization MOST and with Youth Information Center Split-INFO ZONE.

Number of activities, such as consultations with members of local and regional governments on better implementation of the Act on Youth Advisory Boards, consultations with local member organizations and consultations with potential new members form Southern parts of Croatia occurred on Thursday. Info Days ended on Friday with public debate on topic: "Focus: Youth - Active participation of youth as a key step in addiction prevention", which turned out to be a very good platform for discussion on youth participation as an element of quality prevention policy, approaches within NGO sector that aim to tackle that menace and ways on how to facilitate and coordinate efforts undertaken both by NGOs and public entities.

Next Info Days of the CYN will take place in Osijek on 29/30 October.

Be an advisor

The meeting Towards the elections for Youth Advisory Board took place in Rijeka, on Thursday 15th of October 2009. The meeting was organized by the City of Rijeka and the GONG's regional office, where Denis Sgagliardi participated as the representative of the Croatian Youth Network. Sgagliardi opened the meeting with the presentation about opportunities and challenges for Youth in Youth Adviser, he explained what does the Act on Youth Advisory Boards mean for youth in Croatia and how it should be implemented by local governments. Verena Lelas Turak (the Secretary of Youth Advisory Board to the City of Rijeka) explained to the youth what is necessary to candidate and what are the public tender propositions. The last person who spoke on the meeting was Vojko Braut (the President of the Youth Advisory Board to the City of Rijeka) who explained what did the Youth Advisory Board to the City of Rijeka do in the past two years and what should the next assembly of the Youth Advisory Board make. In the end, youth raised questions to the speakers.

Civil socitey representatives informed about Croatia 2009 Progress Report

Today at 11:00 Office for Cooperation with NGOs of  Croatian Government hosted a meeting between representatives of the civil society and Mr. David Hudson,  Chargé d´Affaires, a.i. of the Delegation of European Commission in Croatia and Mr. David Lange, Head of Office in the DG Enlargement of European Commission.

This meeting dealt with Commission's Croatia Progress Report for 2009. Mr. Hudson and Mr. Lange emphasized that general tone of the report is positive, despite several serious "black spots" (such as cooperation with ICTY, corruption/organized crime and administrative capacity). Representatives of civil society gave their view of the report and Croatian reality, warning that Croatian reform process still has too many "howevers". Special attention was given to the "FoE Croatia case" in which above mentioned NGO has been charged  for illegal waste disposal by Ministry of Environmental Protection, Physical Planning and Construction. Representatives of the European Commission have been called upon to investigate that case which a number of meeting participants considered to be a very dangerous case of influencing independent work of NGOs.

CYN Info Days in Split and Osijek

The Croatian Youth Network, in cooperation with associations Most and Volunteer Centre Osijek invites you to the Info Days of the Croatian Youth Network. It is our great pleasure to invite you to visit us and participate in our activities.

The Info Days will be held in Split on 22 and 23 October and in Osijek on 29 and 30 October 2009. We will organize consultations with member organizations and other youth organizations in southern and eastern Croatia and a public debate on the topic "Focus: Youth - Active participation of youth as a key step in addiction prevention". in addition, we will organize consultations with representatives of local and regional self-governments on the implementation of the Act on Youth Advisory Boards.

Detailed information can be found on the website of the Croatian Youth Network on the links:
Rijeka
Split
Osijek

Another workshop for Knin youth

The Croatian Youth Network organized another workshop for young people - future programme creators and users of the Multifunctional Youth Centre in Knin. The workshop was held from 9 to 11 October in the Knin Red Cross premises.

The drama workshop was based on the Augusto Boal theater methodology or the so called Theater of the Oppressed.

Young participants, mostly high school students, set out to work on the problem of violence and bullying in school. Through a number of scenes, they played out typical scenes of conflict which they are exposed to in real life. Their inteventions in the framework of the Boal theater offered new and constructive solutions to problems.

The workshop was led by experienced drama teacher and dramatist Maja Sviben, and was supported by the National Foundation for the Development of Civil Society in the framework of the project "Multifunctional Centre for Youth in Knin".

Training for Youth Council of Istrian county

Training for establishing Youth Council of Istrian county was held from October 8th to 11th in Rabac, Istria. Organized by association ZUM and supported by trainers from the Croatian Youth Network, interactive training-seminar was held on youth policy, team work and
cooperation, decision-making and networking. Participants came from youth associations, associations for youth, youth branches of political parties, pupils councils and city youth councils.

Coalition for establishing Istrian youth council was founded by Manifesto on mutual acting that will be publicly presented at the beginning of November. CYN will support coalition further more, primary through education on public advocacy. After education, founding assembly will be organized. Project coordinator is Ana Žužić who works at ZUM, trainers are Emina Bužinkić and Nikola Pandurić, and technical support is given by Denis Sgagliardi, ZUM's president.

Sign up for the new Young MIRamiDA training

The Centre for Peace Studies and the Young MIRamiDA, in cooperation with CYN, are pleased to announce the 3rd local Young MIRamiDA Training, which will be held in Osijek from 4 to 8 November 2009.

If you're active or you would like to be, if you are interested in society and social issues, if you're itching to make positive change, if you'd like to re-examine your skills and the ways of action and, together with others, to contribute to making changes and to learn new and improve your existing skills - sign up to this training!

This training will provide the right space to share knowledge and experiences, considerations and deliberations and will be perfect ground for creating and socializing.

Invitation I Application Form