Slovenia. 9th Annual Conference of the European Society for Criminology
Last September, the International Juvenile Justice Observatory (IJJO) participated at the 9th Annual Conference of the European Society for Criminology.
Researchers, professionals and experts in the field of criminology participated at this event which focused on the exploration of the efficiency of criminal policies and the protection of human rights. The harmonisation of juvenile justice systems on a European level and the existence of regional/national differences in juvenile violence are some of the core topics of the IJJO participation at the Annual ESC Conference.
[European Union] - The International Juvenile Justice Observatory (IJJO) participated at the following round table presentations: on Thursday September 10th, the round table on Can Youth Violence be Prevented?; presenting a research on Are there regional/national differences in juvenile violence?. One of the most relevant fundamental topics, focused on the prevention of juvenile violence, was the research on the European Opinion 'Urban spaces and juvenile violence', presented before the European Economic and Social Committee.
In fact, European society today is concerned at the phenomenon of violence and crime committed by minors and young adults. At the same time, however, Europe also wants to promote the full development of its young people and encourage their integration into society and the world of employment. Whilst youth violence is a subject that receives wide coverage in the media, it should be stated that, on the whole, statistics do not point to a significant increase in juvenile crime. In fact, it can even be said to be stabilising. Historically, each European State’s legal system has developed its own model of youth justice, thus providing different legal standards and responses to violence carried out by minors and young people. This means that the youth justice systems in the EU Member States differ considerably in aspects such as social protection and prevention policies, the age of criminal responsibility, the procedures that can be used, the measures or penalties that can be imposed, the resources available, etc. It should be pointed out, however, that these differences occur in societies that are all committed to European integration but which have been hard-hit by the crisis, and consequently have even fewer resources to fund policies promoting youth integration.
Finally, on Friday September 11th, the IJJO promoted and encouraged the discussion on the topic Harmonizing Juvenile Justice Systems at a European Level’, considering the Joint Declaration 'Harmonising juvenile justice systems on a European Level' as a final recommendation, the result of the 3rd International Conference organised by the IJJO.
This way, the IJJO provides a permanent forum for information and analysis on topics related to juvenile delinquency, crime prevention and justice. It is also an international network of juvenile justice institutions, experts and observers. The Observatory has a benchmarking function; it establishes good practices criteria about efficient strategies related to policies, crime prevention and interventions. As part of its research activities, the IJJO is running several European projects regarding, e.g., the improvement of juvenile justice systems and the prevention of juvenile delinquency, which are highly worth to present at the Annual Conference of the European Society of Criminology. The IJJO has been working, as an expert network, to build the basis for the harmonization of the implementation in all Member States of the international rules on justice for minors in conflict with the law. One of the results of this work has been the adoption of the Joint Declaration on 'Harmonizing juvenile justice systems at the European level' widely supported and signed by experts, as well as the relevant governmental bodies at the European, national, regional and local level. The IJJO has recently started the monitoring of an EU Project European Dimensions in Juvenile Delinquency. The objective is to promote efficient indications to define programs for the prevention of juvenile delinquency based on the research on the following issues: cyber-crime and E-bullying, the exploitation of minor immigrants in crime, youth gangs, the influence of drug use on crime and violence within the family.
With the support of the Prevention of and Fight against Crime Programme European Commission - Directorate-General Justice, Freedom and Security
International Juvenile Justice Observatory (IJJO) Belgian Public Utility Foundation Head Office: Rue Mercelis, nº 50. 1050. Brussels. Belgium. Phone: 00 32 262 988 90. Fax: 00 32 262 988 99. oijj@oijj.org All rights reserved
Last September, the International Juvenile Justice Observatory (IJJO) participated at the 9th Annual Conference of the European Society for Criminology.
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