Young people played a vital role in the transformation of the former Czechoslovakia from a totalitarian regime to a democratic society. The efforts of young people in shaping a new society did not end after the revolution. Unlike any other time in the history of the Czech and Slovak Republics, students entered public life. Young people became members of parliament, started working with the Ministry of Education to influence educational reform, and helped open the borders for other students, volunteers, scientists, and teachers from abroad.

Today's Slovak youth live in a time of massive change. Young people are now communicating with the rest of the world. They are free to travel and learn. Foreign visitors and modern technology introduce new ideas every day. Yet at the same time, children and their families face a host of challenges.

Outlined in this report are some of those challenges, as well as opportunities. It is part of a series of country studies conducted for the International Youth Foundation in exploring children and youth needs and opportunities within various countries. IYF was founded in 1990 to bring worldwide support to the many exceptional local programs which promote the positive development of young people from 5 to 20 years of age. Central to IYF's approach is the creation of a global network of independent, indigenous, grantgiving foundations with a common focus on children and youth.

The establishment of a national or regional partnership is preceded by extensive in-country research and consultation carried out by international and local experts. In 1992, IYF began exploring options to work in three Central European countries: the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia. The findings of this exploratory process led IYF's Board of Directors to approve the creation of an indigenous, grantmaking foundation for children and youth in Slovakia. Through support for the newly-established Children and Youth Foundation of Slovakia (CYFS), IYF seeks to contribute to the positive development of the nation's children and youth and to the growth of civil society.

FOCUS, the Center for Social and Market Analysis, was commissioned by IYF to conduct the following study. The report framework was designed by IYF to provide an overview of issues affecting young people and the cultural and environmental factors which have an impact on their welfare. It includes a profile of the political and economic climate, civil society, local philanthropy, the nonprofit sector, government policies, regional and international linkages, and organizations working with children and youth.

Following are some of the key issues influencing the development of the nation's young which emerged from the report:

Educational reform&##151;As a result of rapid and profound change, there is a tremendous need to adapt and reform the nation's educational system. Curriculums and instruction methods have fast become outdated, and even the best intentioned teachers and parents find themselves ill-equipped to create a more responsive and relevant educational system.

Unemployment&##151;Whereas in the past unemployment was non-existent, Slovakia now faces between 13 and 20 percent unemployment. Youth up to the age of 25 account for approximately one-third of the total unemployed population and their numbers are rising. Job creation and placement strategies are not keeping pace with the number of youth entering the labor force.

Health education&##151;The availability and quality of health education is a rising concern as the number of unplanned and early pregnancies rises. Early marriages prompted by pregnancy are common. In 1990 alone, 45 percent of all brides were pregnant before marriage. According to UNICEF, the high rate of pregnancy among teenagers is due to a lack of health and reproductive education. This is of particular concern given the increase in intravenous drug use in the country and growth in the spread of HIV/AIDS infection internationally.The World Health Organization estimates that without appropriate preventive measures, Slovakia could become one of the highest at-risk countries in Europe for increased rates of HIV/AIDS.

Tolerance&##151;Children and young people face societal issues that were concealed or not adequately addressed in the past. Prior to 1989, for example, people with physical or mental disabilities were institutionalized and segregated from society. Recent efforts to integrate them into society have been stymied by the need for attitudinal change. Concern has also been expressed over the need to foster greater respect for cultural, ethnic, and religious differences.

In response to these challenges, a number of civil organizations are emerging to promote the positive development of children and youth in Slovakia. As was the case during the days of revolution, many of these initiatives are being sparked by young people themselves.

The study which follows was primarily intended to inform IYF of the opportunities and challenges of working in Slovakia. The study is based on existing data, research, and interviews. Given the short timeframe for completions, no additional original research was conducted.

Responses to the three Central European country reports have been extremely positive both within and outside the East Central European region. Reviewers in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia commented that the reports provide the first analysis of this type and represent a major contribution to the emerging civil society, particularly those organizations working with children and youth. For these reasons, IYF has decided to translate the reports into local languages and distribute them broadly to individuals and organizations which might benefit from the information they contain. IYF acknowledges the limitations of the reports, but hopes that they will help to stimulate further thinking and concerted action on behalf of young people in East Central Europe.

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