The Vision of Youth Policies: An Analysis of National Policies

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the vision of youth policies outlined in the National Youth and Sports Policy Document. The research was conducted using the SWOT analysis method, a qualitative research technique. The National Youth and Sports Policy Document presents a vision that aims to cultivate young individuals who are committed to universal and national values, actively participate in social life, and exercise their fundamental rights and freedoms. The analysis reveals that among the strengths of the policy are its comprehensive vision that supports youth social participation and its emphasis on international competitiveness. However, challenges in implementation, resource constraints, and the lack of effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms have been identified as weaknesses that may hinder the full achievement of the policy’s objectives. Nevertheless, the potential for supporting youth development, enhancing social contributions, and leveraging opportunities for international cooperation increases the likelihood of the policy's success. On the other hand, changing economic and social conditions, as well as administrative challenges, pose significant threats to the sustainability of the policy. In conclusion, the National Youth and Sports Policy Document provides a crucial roadmap for the development of Turkey’s young population and their contribution to society. However, to fully realize this potential, it is essential to ensure the efficient use of resources, strengthen monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and develop strategies to address the identified weaknesses in the implementation process.

Keywords

• Future Vision
• National Sports Policies
• Youth Policies

Gençlik Politikaları Vizyonu: Ulusal Politikaların Analizi

Öz

Bu çalışma, Ulusal Gençlik ve Spor Politikası Belgesi'nde yer alan gençlik politikaları vizyonunu analiz etmeyi amaçlanmaktadır. Araştırma, nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden SWOT analizi kullanılarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Ulusal Gençlik ve Spor Politikası Belgesi’nde, gençlerin evrensel ve milli değerlere bağlı, toplumsal hayata aktif katılan, temel hak ve özgürlüklerini kullanabilen bireyler olarak yetişmelerini hedefleyen bir vizyon ortaya koymaktadır. Yapılan analiz sonucunda, politikanın güçlü yönleri arasında gençlerin sosyal katılımını destekleyen kapsamlı bir vizyon ve uluslararası rekabet edebilirliğe yapılan vurgu öne çıkmaktadır. Ancak uygulama sorunları, kaynak kısıtlamaları ve etkili izleme-değerlendirme mekanizmalarının eksikliği, belgenin hedeflerine tam anlamıyla ulaşmasını engelleyebilecek zayıf yönler olarak tespit edilmiştir. Bununla birlikte, gençlerin potansiyelinin desteklenmesi, toplumsal katkının artırılması ve uluslararası işbirliği fırsatları, politikanın başarı potansiyelini yükseltmektedir. Öte yandan, değişen ekonomik ve toplumsal koşullar ile idari zorluklar, politikanın sürdürülebilirliğini tehdit eden faktörlerdir. Sonuç olarak, Ulusal Gençlik ve Spor Politikası Belgesi, Türkiye’nin genç nüfusunun gelişimine ve topluma katkısına yönelik önemli bir yol haritası sunmaktadır. Ancak bu potansiyelin hayata geçirilebilmesi için uygulama sürecinde kaynakların etkin kullanılması, izleme ve değerlendirme mekanizmalarının güçlendirilmesi ve zayıf yönlerin giderilmesine yönelik stratejiler geliştirilmesi gerekmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Gençlik Politikaları
• Gelecek Vizyonu
• Ulusal Spor Politikaları

References

1. Açıkgöz, S., Haudenhuyse, R., & Aşçı, H. (2019). Social inclusion for whom and towards what end? A critical discourse analysis of youth and sport policies in Turkey. Journal of Youth Studies, 22(3), 330-345.
2. Ben‐Ali, F. M. (2011). Structural design of a national youth and sports information system using the viable system model. Kybernetes, 40(3/4), 394-404.
3. Blum, D. W. (2006). Russian youth policy. The SAIS Review of International Affairs, 26(2), 95-108. Bourdieu, P. (1993). Sociology in question. Sage Publications.
4. Coxe, K., Hamilton, K., Harvey, H. H., Xiang, J., Ramirez, M. R., & Yang, J. (2018). Consistency and variation in school-level youth sports traumatic brain injury policy content. Journal of Adolescent Health, 62(3), 255-264.
5. Ekholm, D., & Lindström Sol, S. (2020). Mobilising non-participant youth: Using sport and culture in local government policy to target social exclusion. International Journal of Cultural Policy, 26(4), 510-523.
6. Erikson, E. H. (1968). Identity: Youth and crisis. WW Norton & Company.
7. Farthing, R. (2012). Why youth participation? Some justifications and critiques of youth participation using New Labour’s youth policies as a case study. Youth & Policy, 109(109), 71-97.
8. Gilchrist, P., & Wheaton, B. (2011). Lifestyle sport, public policy and youth engagement: Examining the emergence of parkour. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 3(1), 109-131.

9. Humphrey, A. S. (2005). SWOT analysis. Long Range Planning, 30(1), 46-52.
10. International Labour Organization. (2020). Global employment trends for youth 2019: Technology and the future of jobs. ILO Publications. Retrieved from https://www.ilo.org/sites/default/files/wcmsp5/groups/public/@dgreports/@dcomm/@publ/documents/publication/wcms_737648.pdf
11. King, K., & Church, A. (2015). Questioning policy, youth participation and lifestyle sports. Leisure Studies, 34(3), 282-302.
12. Lindsey, I., & Bacon, D. (2016). In pursuit of evidence-based policy and practice: A realist synthesis-inspired examination of youth sport and physical activity initiatives in England (2002–2010). International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 8(1), 67-90.
13. Lindsey, I., Strittmatter, A. M., Hayton, J., & O’Gorman, J. (2023). Two decades of youth sport policy research: An augmented scoping review and synthesis. European Sport Management Quarterly, 1-25.
14. Ministry of Youth and Sports. (2013). National youth and sports policy document. Retrieved from https://gsb.gov.tr/dosyalar/mevzuatlar/ulusal_genclik_ve_spor_politikasi.pdf
15. Nuzul, A., Saputra, Y. M., Ma’mun, A., & Mulyana, B. (2023). Policy analysis for development and development of sports education: Perspective of regional regulation number 11 of 2017 concerning the implementation of sports. Kinestetik: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Jasmani, 7(2), 343-352.
16. Official Gazette. (2012). National youth and sports policy document. Republic of Turkey Official Gazette. Retrieved from www.resmigazete.gov.tr
17. Sen, A. (1999). Development as freedom. Oxford University Press.
18. Sertel, G., & Günbayı, İ. (2021). SCID analizine göre nitel veri toplama sürecinin yönetilmesi/Management of qualitative data collection process according to SCID analysis. Nitel Sosyal Bilimler, 3(1), 107-139.
19. Schreiner, L., Mayer, J., & Kastrup, V. (2021). National ‘Sport for Development and Peace’-programmes in light of UN recommendations and national sports organisations’ endeavours. A document analysis of the role of ‘Sports’ in Germany’s development policy. European Journal for Sport and Society, 18(2), 114-134.
20. Strittmatter, A. M., & Skille, E. Å. (2017). Boosting youth sport? Implementation of Norwegian youth sport policy through the 2016 Lillehammer Winter Youth Olympic Games. Sport in Society, 20(1), 144-160.
21. Tapscott, D. (2008). Grown up digital. McGraw-Hill Education.
22. United Nations. (2018). World youth report: Youth and the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2018/12/WorldYouthReport-2030Agenda.pdf
23. World Health Organization. (2014). Health for the world's adolescents: A second chance in the second decade. World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-FWC-MCA-14.05