Brasília, April 27, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - During the past two months an interministerial group comprising representatives of 21 Brazilian government Ministries and special secretariats conducted a survey of the situation of Brazilian young people and the federal programs aimed at them. The results of this investigation were presented yesterday (26) to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Based on this information, the government intends to establish a new National Youth Policy with practical programs for this segment of the population.

The group formulated a set of challenges ranging from expanding the access of young people to schools and the number of years they remain there to the war on illiteracy and the assurance of income and jobs. The different Ministries also plan future activities for the social engagement of youth, access to leisure and culture, and the promotion of a healthy life.

The diagnosis made by the Ministries is based on figures contained in the most recent census, carried out by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) in the year 2000. According to the IBGE, the number of young people between 15 and 24 years old at that time was 34 million. The numbers revealed by the census convey a pessimistic impression of this segment of the population. 17.1 million young people did not attend school in 2000, and, of these,11 million had not finished secondary school.

49 federally administered programs currently exist with measures that have youths as their chief focus. The government's intention is to unite forces to realize activities that make it possible to keep young people away from crime and provide concrete job and study opportunities for the 34 million Brazilians between 15 and 24.

Translator: David Silberstein