Every fifth young person in Croatia has an increased poverty risk level, a group of young activists, Network of Croatian Youth, pointed out during a performance in St. Mark's Square on Monday to mark International Youth Day.
"Virtually twenty percent of young people or every fifth young person aged between 15 and 30 is at risk of poverty and the main reason for their situation is that they are unemployed", a member of the Network, Karlo Kralj said, adding that according to data released by the Croatian Employment Service, in 2013 there were 115,000 young people registered as unemployed.
The Youth Network called on the government to solve the problem and not by short-term emergency measures but ones that are systematic.
"We expect the government and those responsible to come up with an all-encompassing, visionary and strategic plan", said Kralj.
The Network urges for quality policies for the young and that they be included along with the nongovernmental sector in creating these policies.
They expect, the Network said, for a national programme for the young and law on the young to be prepared soon.
International Youth Day (IYD) is an awareness day designated by the United Nations on 12 August 1999 by the adoption of resolution and it is meant as an opportunity for governments and others to draw attention to youth issues worldwide. This year focus is on migration of the young.
The Network of Croatian Youth underscored that young people, regardless of their poor material situation, do not even have enough to go abroad to find a job.
