Organization for Youth Education & Development (OYED)
Laws Concerning Youth in Italy
Laws Concerning Youth in Italy
In Italy there is no national law strictly about youth. Over the years there have been several bills concerning youth policies, but none of them have never been approved.
The most important legal reference in the field is the Constitution. Article 31 (second paragraph) states: “The Republic protects maternity, infancy, youth”.
Despite the legal authority of the constitutional principle, Italy has always been backward in the field compared to other European countries. The government has outsourced primarily to other public entities (regions, provinces, municipalities, local health authorities, school) but also to private actors, the commitment regarding the implementation of policies, interventions and services in the youth department.
Over the past decade, regional legislations have provided the majority of measures concerning youth empowerment. However, since 2006 the year of the establishment of the Ministry of Youth, many logical and innovative ways of dealing with young people have been considered also nationally. In 2007 a National Youth Plan was approved,followed by the consequent Guidelines in 2008. In 2009, a " National Operational Plan 2007/2013 For the Youth" was also published.
Starting with the Constitution, below you will find a hierarchy-oriented list of national laws, regional laws and other acts concerning youth.
CONSTITUTION OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC
1948:
• Article 31 c.2 : “The Republic protects mothers, children and the young by adopting
necessary provisions.”
The Constitutional provision is broad in scope, and theoretically allows the legislator to promote a wide range of instruments aiming at the protection and the development of young people.
NATIONAL LAWS
2013:
• Decreto Legge 28 giugno 2013, n. 76 : “First urgent measures to promote employment, especially among young people, and social cohesion” (…) “.
In order to promote stable forms of employment for young people up to 29 years of age, this law establishes incentives for employers who hire young workers with open ended contracts.
2011:
• Law 12 luglio 2011, n. 112: “Institution of a National Authority for the protection of Children and Adolescents”.
This measure, approved unanimously by the Parliament, fully implemented both Article 31 of the Constitution and international provisions such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
2010:
• D.M. 17 dicembre 2010, n. 256: “Regulations governing the Fund for the access to credit for the purchase of their first home by young couples or single-parent households”
2007:
• Decreto del Presidente della Repubblica 21 novembre 2007, n. 235 : “Regulation amending and supplementing the Decree of the President of the Republic 24 June 1998, no. 249, concerning the statute of female students and secondary school students”.
The Statute redefines school as "a place of training and education through study," enhancing all the others objectives and values of the school community: personal growth, development of individual autonomy, achievement of cultural and professional objectives, and youth empowerment.
2000:
• Legge n.331/00: "Rules for the establishment of professional military service"
This law represents a radical shift in the relationship between young people and the Armed Forces. Its main goal is to turn the Italian army into a professional army, reducing the number of enrolled. The law abolishes compulsory service
1997:
• Legge 285/97: "Provisions for the promotion of rights and opportunities for children and adolescents".
The law contains provisions for the promotion of rights and opportunities for childhood and adolescence. It establishes the National Fund for Children and Adolescents, whose aim is the implementation of measures at national, regional and local level concerning the promotion of human rights, quality of life, development, individual achievement and socialization of children and adolescents, implementing the principles of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• Legge 236/93: “Urgent measures concerning employment”
The law is particularly important for young people because it assists through funding youth entrepreneurship.
1992:
• Legge 215/1992 "Positive action for women entrepreneurs".
The law provides facilities for businesses that already exist.
1991:
• Legge 216/91: “Early interventions for minors at risk of involvement in criminal activity ".
The law was established to implement all the measures provided by the new Code of Juvenile Criminal Procedure of 1988. It opens up spaces for primary prevention and it provides several innovations, like the implementation of interventions to support families in the fulfillment of minors’ educational obligations or the establishment of meeting centers to better social presence for minors in deprived urban areas.
REGIONAL LAWS
2012:
• Deliberation of the Regional Council 18 September 2012 n. 1908 Region Veneto: “Framework Agreement in the field of Youth Policy "The future of sustainability - the sustainability of the future: Young people of the Veneto Region".
2011:
• Deliberation of the Regional Council 28 November 2011, n. 58-2965 Region Piemonte: ”Approvation of the Youth Policy (2011-2013)”.
With this law, the Piemonte Regional Government wants to operate in three complementary directions. Firstly, the removal of barriers that could diminish opportunities for young people. Secondly, the identification of new channels of dialogue that will allow the younger generation to interact with political authorities. Thirdly, the establishment of a supportive environment for the expression of creativity and the promotion of merit.
2009:
• L.P 28 May 2009, n. 7 Autonomous Province of Trento: “Establishment of a provincial Council of young people”.
2008:
• L.R. 14 November 2008, n. 17 Region Veneto: “Promotion of youth empowerment and participation in social life”.
It coordinates policies for the full development of young people’s cultural, social and economic characteristics, favoring aggregation between younger people.
2007:
• L.R. 23 May 2007 n.12 Region Friuli Venezia Giulia :” Promotion of youth representation, coordination and support of initiatives for young people”.
• L.R. 7 December 2007 n. 20 Region Lazio:” Promotion of measures for the institutional participation of the younger generation in politics and local administration”.
2001:
• L.R. 29 November 2001, n. 29 Region Lazio : ” Promotion of measures for the institutional participation of younger generations in politics and local administration”.
2000:
• L.R. 14 February 2000, n. 2 Region Calabria: ”Youth Project”.
The Calabria Region, in order to promote and encourage the participation of young people in the Calabrian institutions, establishes the "Youth Project" with the task of supporting and enhancing the youth associations in Calabria.
1999:
• L.R. 15 aprile 1999, n. 11 Region Sardegna : “Initiatives and coordination of activities for young people”.
The law promotes and implements interventions that target the actual participation of young people in the society, in particular in the world of work and entrepreneurship.
1996:
• L.R. 25 giugno 1996, n.21 Region Emilia Romagna: “Promotion and coordination of youth policies”.
The Emilia Romagna Region recognizes, guarantees and promotes citizenship rights of adolescents and young people of both sexes through their participation in the self-expressions of civil society and the main institutions of the Region.
1995:
• L.R. 13 febbraio 1995, n.16 Region Piemonte: “Coordination and support of activities for young people”.
1989:
• L.R. 25 August 1989, n. 14 Region Campania:” Establishment of the Service for youth policies and the Regional Youth Forum”.
1986:
• L.R. 6 September 1986, n.45 Region Lombardia: “Regional measures for the promotion of socio-cultural youth exchanges”.
