222 Finland gives YOU A LESSON
MISSION FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE AUTHORITIES: A Catcher scheme for those in danger of exclusion should be created Our education system, which functions well in many respects, has faced a surprising challenge in recent years. According to recent estimates, there are 40,000 young people aged 16–24 in Finland who are lost from society. They are not in education, at work or in the army. The majority of this group are young men, but the exclusion of young women is also on the increase. According to a report by the Ministry of the Interior, Finland’s greatest internal threat is specifically marginalised young men who use drugs and cause minor trouble as well as tragedies that end up on the front pages of the tabloids. In Holland, young people in danger of being excluded are monitored by authorities who work under the administration of the Ministry for Family Affairs. A similar ’Catcher’ scheme that would identify young people in danger of being excluded and include them in society should be created in Finland. The scheme could be prepared jointly by teaching professionals and social welfare authorities.