Civic potential and the formation of youth politics in Slovakia.

Civic Potential and the Formation of Youth Politics in Slovakia. The most important actors representing the interests of young people in the member states of the Council of Europe are the civic youth associations and, at national levels, the youth councils. The influence of youth associations in Slovakia after 1989 was very weak and in fact none of the political parties and coalitions consistently promoted the interests of young people. The situation changed radically after 1998 elections. The youth associations, capable of activating the citizens, played a significant role in fostering the political changes at last reflected in election results. As a consequence, The Youth Council of Slovakia (YCS) used its growing influence to participate in the formulation of a new governmental program. YCS accomplished a real institutional breakthrough by devising the foundation of The Council of the Government of the Slovak Republic for the Issues of Children and Youth. Thus the prerequisites for the participation of YCS representatives in governmental decision making processes were created.