A. Faizov about “difficult” teenagers: “They are not strangers to us”

(KZN.RU, April 18, Alena Miroshnichenko). The question of the implementation of youth policy in Kazan, including work with so-called “difficult” teenagers, was discussed today at the XXXIII session of the Kazan City Duma. Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, noted that the work on the socialization of youth is an important and difficult part of youth policy both in Kazan and in other cities of Russia and the world.

Speaking of at-risk youth, Airat Faizov, the chairman of the Committee on Children and Youth Affairs, said that according to the data of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs for Kazan, a decrease in juvenile crime by 20% was registered, and in two years – by 40%. “The greatest and very noticeable drop in the number of crimes over the past 3 years was recorded in the Privolzhsky, Moskovsky and Aviastroitelny districts, that is, where we have the largest number of institutions for youth policy, additional education and culture”, said the speaker. At the same time, the number of crimes committed in micro-districts, which are under the jurisdiction of the Boriskovo, Gagarinsky and Yamashevsky police departments, is growing, where sociocultural institutions are much smaller. A. Faizov also cited statistics. Despite the general decrease in the number of crimes, the number of participants remains at the level of 2017.

Prevention work is becoming an important aspect of youth policy, noted A. Faizov. He spoke about the project “Ours”, which has been implementing in the Committee on Children and Youth Affairs since the beginning of 2018. The essence of the project is to intensify street work with “difficult” teenagers. Experts gather around them adolescents at risk and channel their energy to a “peaceful course”. The project is working with two thousand adolescents, 50 of whom are conditionally convicted. “All this gives adolescents a feeling of a common idea, cohesion and support”.

A major role in the issue of prevention is played by the Center “Doverie”. Experts provide assistance to adolescents with drug, alcohol and tobacco addictions. Every year the center is served by almost 50 thousand people. Employees of “Doverie” managed to protect 87 people under the age of 18 from suicide, and in 65 cases they helped to draw attention to the cruel treatment of the child.

As another form of prevention of socially negative phenomena at the place of residence, A. Faizov mentioned the organization of sports and leisure activities in the field, the festival of yard sports.

Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, noted that “time is pushing new areas of work with young people”. “New challenges appear that causing difficulties in the lives of Kazan youth, and we should be ready for this. Every young man who finds himself in a difficult life situation, faced with a problem, should be in our field of attention”, marked the Mayor. He also added that for every young man there must be a place where he could come, get help, and find a use for his abilities.

Over the past three years, the work has been carried out on reformatting institutions and educational approaches. A. Faizov also added that in the capital of Tatarstan there is one of the largest networks of teenage clubs in Russia, centers for social services for children and young people, creative spaces and municipal camps.

Over the past 3 years, the infrastructure of youth policy objects has been updated by 70%. 24 teen clubs have been repaired, another 14 are being repaired at the moment. In addition, the funds of the municipality and the institutions themselves renovated another seven clubs. A.Faizov also said that a number of new centers are planned to be opened.

Airat Faizov also recalled the launch of the republican program for the repair and modernization of suburban municipal camps.

“We are proud that we managed to preserve the network of youth institutions with Soviet times, but in the new housing districts all conditions must be created for youth employment and self-realization”, said Ilsur Metshin.