4: Cohesion, Welfare and Security

Social cohesion, welfare and security

Other Information:

Social cohesion and involvement, gender equality, youth development, a flourishing culture and freedom from crime are essential conditions for sustainable development. Social vulnerability is a problem not only for the individual. It can also be a problem for the individual’s family and neighbourhood, for society and for future generations. Some groups have never had a firm foothold in the labour market. Their lives are shaped by serious social problems such as substance abuse, homelessness and mental handicaps. There is a good deal of evidence that they do not get the care and support they need. Crime entails substantial costs – both economic and social – for the victims and for society as a whole. The most extreme forms of crime can be a threat to fundamental democratic values and social institutions. The task of increasing gender equality is a high priority. Power and influence and equal rights and opportunities for women and men as regards economic and other matters are central features of gender equality policy. Other priority areas include efforts to increase the influence of young people and to improve their social environment and opportunities for starting a family and establishing themselves in society. Sustainable development and a flourishing culture are mutually dependent. Taking cultural aspects into account in connection with decision-making and planning is therefore a major challenge for future cultural policy. Objectives: The objective of social justice is to halve benefit dependency between 1999 and 2004. Efforts must be made to strengthen the ability of socially and economically vulnerable persons to take part in community life and protection of children at risk. The objective of crime policy is to reduce crime rates and increase individual safety. A citizen perspective should be adopted in this connection. The overall objective of gender equality policy is to ensure that women and men have equal rights, obligations and opportunities in all areas. The objective of youth policy is to give young people the opportunity to grow up in a good and secure environment. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its principles should be respected in all policy areas. One objective when it comes to promoting a flourishing culture is to protect freedom of expression and make sure that it can be exercised in practice. Another is to give everybody opportunities to take part in cultural life and opportunities for cultural experiences and creativity and to promote cultural diversity, artistic innovation and quality, thus countering the negative effects of commercialism. The role of culture as a dynamic, provocative and unconstrained force in society. Another aspect is the need to promote educational aspirations and international cultural exchanges and meetings between the different cultures in Sweden. Finally, the cultural heritage must be used and preserved in a sustainable manner.

Objective(s):

4.1: Persons in Difficulties

4.2: Social Service Skills

4.3: Crime

4.4: Gender Equality

4.5: Children's Rights

4.6: Cultural Policy

4.7: Finite Materials

4.8: Life-cycle Management

4.9: Natural and Cultural Environments

4.10: Minorities

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