Austrian EU Presidency. Informal Meeting of Youth Ministers, 29 – 31 Marc 2006, Bad Ischl.

Contribution to the discussion in the Working group “Youth and Jobs”

by Ms Karita Bekkemellem, Minister of Children and Equality, NORWAY.

Thank you for giving me the floor Mr/Madam Chairperson,

First of all I would like to express my appreciation of listening to this very interesting dialogue between youth representatives and Ministers responsible for youth policy. It is a form we like in Norway, and I think it is a very good example on how young people can influence the politicians. I will myself tomorrow be present at the annual conference of the Norwegian Youth Council, and then have the same experience at national level.

The theme of this discussion, youth and employment, has a high political priority of my government. Unemployment among young people is very often higher than the average. At the same time we know the importance of entering the labour marked as soon as possible after you have finished your training or education. In my opinion is of utmost importance for the future to obtain work experience quickly.

In Norway every young person has a right to secondary school education. Those who drop out of ordinary schools will receive an offer of alternative education, training or work. We have also for some time practiced a “Youth guarantee” for everyone up to the age of 20. This guarantees that unemployed youth under 20 shall receive an offer to further education, training or specific labour marked measures. My government has not been satisfied with this. In the political declaration of the new coalition government, which took over last October, there is a separate paragraph on measures to combat youth unemployment. The main points are to extend the Youth Guarantee to cover everyone under the age of 25 and to introduce an individual follow-up offering work, training or further education. In my opinion it will be the individual plans and follow-up of each young person which could be the decisive factor to solve the problems many have in entering the labour marked. Secondly we have to cover a larger part of the youth population in the specific labour marked measures.

I am convinced that the new policy will give results in the near future and I do hope we can give you positive reports very soon.

Tank you for your attention.