Young people in Bosnia Herzegovina

THE FACTS
Where 'Youth' refers mostly to 14-29 years

w	There is growing youth unemployment, disaffectation and emigration. 1

Rather than improving, the situation is actually getting worse. Between 45% and 60% of youth are unemployed.2

w	77% of young people want to leave Bosnia Herzegovina, 24% of these want to leave forever, having no hope for their futures.2

They look to the 'capitalist and succesful' West for solutions to their problems. employed. "This haemorage of the young and talented poses perhaps the greatest long-term threat to this country", warned former High Representative, Lord Paddy Ashdown.

w	80% of Young people are disatisfied with the educational system 2

Education is still disrupted for many children, and the school curiculum varies according to the ethnic majority. Most schools operate a shift system, with two or three shifts in a day.

w	A UNICEF Report (1995) stated that the "children of East Mostar are the most severely traumatised of any in the former Yugoslavia"

These Children are now young adults in the upper age group we work with.