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TOG creates opportunities for youthto empower themselves
The report Studies on YouthPolicies in theMediterranean PartnerCountries notes that
Turkey’s government hasrightly insisted, “youth
[are]
the future of the country.”
However, the report adds,
“no measures or targets to
achieve this end have been
taken.” This is
a clear gap inthe governmentalinstitutional structure.Through projects andtrainings that empoweryouth, TOG is part of thenon-governmentalframework filling in the
gaps in the government’s
youth policy.
TOG’s services are essential
to the youth of Turkey. Thegovernment entity thatprovides youth servicesbudgeted roughly 50 cents(in USD) per young personper year for 2008, a numberthat is woefully inadequate.
Similarly, the government’s
education budget is verysmall in comparison to thatof other countries and isallocated unevenly acrossregions.Furthermore, Being Differentin Turkey notes that theeducational system is marked
by a lack of “creativestimulus,” freedom,
andinquiry in the formaleducational system. TOGcreates opportunities foryouth to empowerthemselves without the needfor government action.
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