1. Social Sustainability of the Youth in Time of Austerity. A view from Central Eastern Europe and Central Asia Group B CEU/UNDP Summer School in Sustainable Human Development Budapest, 13/07/12

2. Definitions and Conceptualization Youth People in the passage from a dependent childhood to independent adulthood Age Group Ranging from 15 to 29 Employment: People perform some work self-employed temporarily not at work Unemployment: People without work seek work available for work Austerity State of reduction in financial spending of governments Social sustainability Better standards of living and well-being which can be sustained on the long term

3. Youth unemployment rateAusterity measures Hungary18% - 2007 26.1% - 2011 2012 retirement age to 65 Reduction of housing subsidies Freeze of child-care benefits Reduction of pharmaceutical subsidies Reduction in the number of student subsidies Cuts f unemployment benefits Moldova15.4% - 2009 11.4% - 2008 Austerity? no But: increase in expenditures on education Serbia~40% - 2010 Cuts of public financing of universities up to 5 % Budgetary restrictions on wage growth in the public sector Armenia2007 – 15,6% 2010 – 15,6% Some job cuts on public sector Ukraine 15-24 years 13% - 2008, 18.6% -2011 25-29 years 7% - 2008, 9,2% - 2011 Austerity? no Public spending on education, % of GDP: 2007 – 6,2%, 2010 – 7,1% Health expenditure, % of GDP: 2007 - 6,4%, 2010 - 7,7% Kazakhstan 2009 - 6,7% 2011 - 4,6% Austerity? no Health expenditure, % of GDP: 2007 - 3,4%, 2010 – 4,3%

4. 37 young people from 18 countries

5. “Spider” diagram

6. I am satisfied with my life… I have 2 laptops, delicious food, internet connection I can realize any opportunity I wish I am independent, I can afford life on my own

7. Perception of young people on… Life satisfaction The effect from economic crisis and austerity measures

8. Perception of young people about the future Thankfully ‘our world’ is a ‘global village’ and I can easily escape from any kind of suppression “I believe in myself. I can take the right decision for the future and I think that things will go forwards for me and improve

9. Future in 5 years!? I will change the world, is it enough? No ideas I will have great job, kids and enjoy life I can not imagine life even in 3 weeks Conducting PhD, Running their own private company and be a successful entrepreneur Work as an international consultant Have a good job with sufficient income to enjoy decent and sustainable standard of living”.

10. Perception of economic situation “I feel contributing to the society” 81% employed “it helps me be myself, be creative and innovative”, 90% satisfied with job

11. Participation in social and political life Interest in politics Sufficient presentation of youth in politics? “I don’t trust politicians because they prioritize their private goals” “I don’t like to be manipulated”

12. Perception of environmental issues 100 % of respondents know about Climate change and Global warming “Climate change will not affect us in 20-25 years from now, but maybe in 100 years later. Thus, neither me, nor my kids will be impacted”

13. ARE WE `LOST GENERATION`?