Youth policy can only offer convincing solutions when it is well acquainted with the reality of young people. It is therefore supported by continuously updated analyses. Research work serves as a basis for the development of a varied and open youth policy, which recognises and attempts to deal with the challenges of a world which is becoming ever more complex.
On the basis of a resolution passed by Parliament on 28th September 1988, the (then) Minister of the Environment, Youth and Family Affairs, was requested to "ensure that research work on the situation of young people in Austria is consistently continued" and that "an up-to-date report on the situation of young people in Austria is presented to Parliament during every parliamentary term".
Report on the situation of young people in Austria
- The 6th Austrian Youth Report (2011) presents a comprehensive perspective of the processes and demands of growing up in Austrian society.
Section A of the Sixth Report on the Situation of Youth includes scientific expertises that analyse the living conditions of young people and draw conclusions for responsible youth politics. Based on their experience and their knowhow in the specific areas, practitioners describe the situation of youth work in Austria and evaluate the chances and perspectives for development resulting from them for young people in Section B. This section clarifies what is already effective for – and with – today’s youth, how this has been achieved, what has become political reality for young people and where there is still a need for action in order to make the most positive use of the dormant potential for development for the benefit of Austria and the young people themselves.
- The 5th report on the situation of young people in Austria is concerned itself with the topics of "Gender mainstreaming and gender-sensitive youth work in Austria". The report was presented in summer 2006.
- The Parliament was informed about the 4th youth report in November 2003. As part of this youth report, young Austrians were asked in a representative survey about the most important features of their life situations, but also about their general attitudes. A second part of the report deals with the topic of prevention in youth work outside schools.
- The 3rd report on the situation of young people in Austria (1998) mainly dealt with three focuses: the leisure-time situation of Austrian young people, quality assurance and self-evaluation in youth work and a portrayal of participation opportunities in the youth sector.
- The 2nd report was published in 1990 with the title "Beautiful Bird of Youth”. The first and the second report contain analyses of the life situation of young people in Austria.
- The 1st report was published in 1987 with the title "Youth at the Beginning of the Eighties”. The first and the second report contain analyses of the life situation of young people in Austria.
