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state concepts produce different national political programmes, development strategies,
measures and projects.
One of the aims of this conference was to display these differences. The development
of national strategies and programmes and also their concrete implementation on regional
and/or local levels were to be examined in view of the relevant national welfare state
concepts.
A variety of working and presentational forms were selected in order to provide a
comparison of various national strategies, their incorporation in European developments,
the consideration of current scientific discussion and the representation of local
implementation.
In political statements, representatives on European, national and local levels underlined the
necessity of examining the integration and exclusion problems of children and young
persons in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Gerd Hoofe (State Secretary at the German
Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth), Jérôme Vignon
(European Commission, Director DG for Employment, Social Affairs and Equality) and
Burkhard Jung (Chief Mayor of the City of Leipzig) emphasised the importance of this
conference and the joint search for transferable approach solutions for the welfare of
children and young persons resident in the EU. The creation of conditions for the
successful integration of young people was the top priority for all three political levels: the
German government, the European Commission and local authorities. The strengthening
of the local level and the support of socio-environmental approaches in European cities
and districts was unanimously demanded.
Gerd Hoofe reported that the German government saw their task to be the provision of
the opportunity of social participation for all children and young persons. “For this
purpose, we have placed the emphasis of our policies on the increased encouragement of
disadvantaged young people and set up a variety of support programmes. We must not give
up on anyone and must also ensure that we create possibilities for all children and young
people to develop their abilities and talents.” During the conference, a selection of national
programmes aimed at disadvantaged young people were presented, including “Local
Capital for Social Purposes” (LOS), “Development and Opportunities for Young Persons
in Disadvantaged Neighbourhoods” (E&C) and “School Refusal – A Second Chance”.
Three plenary addresses covered the content framework of the conference. Prof.
Salvador Parrado (Governance International) from Spain selected as a central theme the
national, regional and local institutional and administrative structures in which programmes
for disadvantaged children and young persons were being developed and implemented. He
spoke in favour of a transversal governance perspective in order to cope with the growing
demand for social services. Prof. Rainer Kilb (Fachhochschule Mannheim [University of
Applied Sciences]) from Germany presented the concept of socio-environmental work as
an opportunity of confronting exclusion processes affecting young people. Prof. Howard
Williamson from the University of Glamorgan in Great Britain illustrated the perspectives
of European youth policy and expounded the problems of the “weaknesses” of European
support strategies and programmes: how would it be possible to reach children, young
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