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Summary of Current Trends in Russian Youth Policy

Core Content

This document, Current Trends in Russian Youth Policy by Douglas Blum, published in December 2005, analyzes the development and challenges of youth policy in Russia since the collapse of the USSR. It outlines the historical context, institutional framework, policy substance, and underlying debates surrounding the state's efforts to address the multifaceted issues affecting Russian youth.

Main Issues Affecting Russian Youth

• Moral Degradation: Resulting from systemic transformation and the influence of globalization.
• High Unemployment and Underemployment: A significant concern in the post-Soviet era.
• Juvenile Crime: Increased by approximately 40% since the early 1990s.
• Youth Emigration: Rising rates, particularly among those seeking better opportunities abroad.
• Drug Abuse and Health Problems: Including alcoholism and a sharp increase in sexually transmitted diseases, notably AIDS.
• High Mortality Rates: Especially among the 15–24 age group, due to various risk factors.
• Lack of Modern Infrastructure: Insufficient support for online interaction and entrepreneurship.

These issues have been widely documented by academics and government bodies, and they are frequently cited by officials as justification for a more comprehensive youth policy.

Institutional Framework

Youth policy in Russia has developed through a complex institutional network, including:

• Ministry of Education and Science: Primary responsible body for drafting federal youth programs.
• Subcommittee on Youth Affairs and Youth Chamber: Located in the Duma, these bodies have played a role in policy discussions.
• Inter-Ministerial Commission: Coordinates youth-related issues across different ministries.
• State Council: Composed of heads of territorial units, it provides advisory input on youth policy.

The involvement of multiple institutions reflects the broad scope of youth policy, which spans education, health, employment, and cultural affairs.

Substance of Youth Policy

The federal program "Youth of Russia 2006–2010" outlines three main goals:

1. Informing Youth and Engaging in Social Practice:

   • Promotes awareness of societal developments.
   • Encourages youth participation in productive activities through funding and integration into social initiatives.

2. Fostering Innovative Activity:

   • Aims to improve education and promote entrepreneurship.
   • Aligns with the "E-Russian" program to enhance access to computers and critical thinking skills.

3. Integrating Youth in Difficult Living Situations:

   • Includes support for invalids, orphans, migrants, ex-convicts, and youth in conflict zones.
   • Seeks to reduce alienation and enhance productivity through meaningful employment and political involvement.

Two additional goals are:

• Promoting a Healthy Way of Life: Emphasizing morality, rational individualism, and national identity.
• Strengthening the Family: Encouraging young couples to have children and supporting childrearing.

Underlying Debate

There is an ongoing debate about the direction and scope of youth policy, reflecting broader societal tensions:

• Support for Youth Participation: The Ministry of Education and Science advocates for involving youth in governance through NGOs, viewing this as a sign of social health and a means to effective governance.
• State Control and Socialization: The State Council proposes a more centralized approach, including propaganda, moral instruction in schools, and the establishment of a federal service for youth socialization.

The debate highlights a conflict between democratic legitimacy and state control, with both perspectives influencing policy-making in practice. Despite efforts to create a compromise, the lack of a binding legal framework persists.

Conclusion

The evolution of youth policy in Russia reflects the country's struggle to balance state-building and nation-building in the context of globalization. The policy emphasizes a managed democracy model, combining centralization and decentralization. It aims to create entrepreneurial and proactive citizens who are also disciplined and loyal to the state. While the central goals of youth policy are relatively stable, the unresolved tensions between autonomy and control continue to shape its development.