Program Declaration
VII. Convention of Mladez HDZ

We live in a world of constant changes in all aspects of society and which constantly sets out concrete questions requiring concrete answers. In a world under the influence of the technological revolution, scientific discoveries and breakthroughs which continue to come closer and closer to breaking all moral and ethical boundaries, together with a speeding globalisation, young people are getting the feeling that politics is losing control over the decisions it hands down.

That is what must drive the political scene and all those who create it towards more serious confrontations with these issues, with issues in our Homeland, but also in Europe and the world. Now is the time to bring forward vital decisions and decide which path to follow in order to take over an active role in creating the future, that way, we can avoid being placed in an established (makeshift) society through global growth. That active role in shaping the future through political activities can be done through Mladez HDZ.

The basis of our activities involve securing a dignified life for all people in our Homeland, nurture peace and stability, protect the national identity and sovereignty of Croatian people and honour the dignity and value of the Homeland war, secure the freedom of each individual in society and their development without any prejudice, as well as protecting the cultural, scientific and environmental riches of the Republic of Croatia. Pluralised dialogue is considered a basic element to the development and successful existence of democracy in all aspects of our society.

In the times when we were creating a free and independent Croatian nation and seeking international recognition in the early nineties, we proved the fact that with togetherness and truce between all groups in our people, and with a belief in freedom and justice, anything can be achieved, even the biggest visions for which we have long lived for.

After establishing Croatia and at the end of the Homeland war, we are confronted with new challenges; sorting out the judicial and social practices, economic development, integration into the EU and NATO, return of Croatian emigrants, turn Croatian into a nation which can attract young people in order to prevent them from leaving the country, bringing to order the health system, encouraging extra investments in science and education, as well as securing a dignified life for all young families.

Without truely facing up to these challenges and if we do not resign under the pressure of the task ahead of us and move forward as soon as possible and start solving these problems full of enthuziasm, idealism, programmed and professional, we cannot show how we have grown to overcome these challenges and responsibilities. Especially us young people, we have to be the creaters of these new ideas and programs which will successfully solve these acute issues.

Decisions about our future and brought today. We wish to actively be involved in the process of bringing forward those decisions.

I. What is Croatian Democratic Union Youth (MHDZ)?

Man is the centre of our political activities. The basis of our politics is a Christian image of man, whereby he is God's creation and a free person in God's eyes.

MHDZ is the spokesperson for the younger generation in Croatian society. Our primary role is to transfer the ideas and thoughts of young people into political life, and ensure everyone has a chance to voice their opinions and be part of the creation of our political activity.

Working transparently, our primary goal is to promote HDZ and their program amongst the younger generation of Croatians.

In our activities, special consideration is given towards political education, seminar sessions and wide inter-party dialogue, in order to draw up and realise the basic direction of our program which is always changing to suit the needs of the new challenges that we are faced with.

We work towards the inclusion of young people in an active political and social role on all aspects of our political activity. Although, our full support goes to those who, through their hard work, contribute to the realisation of our goals in a credible, recognisable and tireless way. Those that through political resemblence and self-enjoyment wish to realise their own personal career, does not have prosperity within MHDZ and will not find his place there.

We are a younger generation political following of HDZ. We gather young people within HDZ who share similar views. We are:

- patriotic, because we gather all forms of the Croatian people and other citizens of Croatia, whose program is based upon patriotism, democracy and Christian civilisation along with other values which are traditional to the Croatian people;

- social, because we care about all people in our society, especially those who are worse off;

- conservative and progressive, because we only change when we have recognised something new as being truely better;

- liberalistic, because we promote the idea and system of freedom for everyone, everywhere;

- nationally minded and civil, because we promote Croatian national interests, protect the tradition and identity of the Croatian people and the values of the Homeland war;

Because of these, we are clearly distinguished from those so-called revolutionists and reactionists. Nore do we constantly change just for the sake of changing, nor do we stick to the past just for the past itself.

We go step-by-step with time, because we see Croatia as an integral part of Europe and the globalised world in which we will endeavour to protect in the greatest manner possible our national recognistion and identity.

We are open to new ideas and to everyone without prejudice. Subsidiarity, and pluralistic dialogue are the basic criteria of our activity.

MHDZ considers itself a force of continuous improvements of themes of discussion within the HDZ and a source of fresh people. We will represent our views even when they might seem controversial and contradictory to the thoughts of HDZ. We will not subordinate tightened personal structures, nor will we robotically succumb to old-fashioned systems, views or habits of our seniors.

We are a critical mass within HDZ, who with our youthful inspiration will not allow HDZ to stall on only one point, as we constantly encourage reform in the politics of our party. We do not recognise eternity for anybody, nor is anybody free from losing their position if need be, as we expect each individual to continuosly question his own activities and decide on his own conscience.

As a younger generation political organisation which continuously expands its political concepts and ideas, we have to be open and prepared for dialogue with other people who have different views, ideas and experiences. As long as we can show a readiness for dialogue and learning, we will be able to confrot new ideas without any prejudice. Within MHDZ the biggest priority is freedom by every member on his/her opinion, as well as making decisions on their own accord and experiences.

Willing to question even our own views and ideals, that is us - the Croatian Democratic Union Youth - an alternative to all those dogmatic movements which come from the left and right side of the political spectrum, and which are lead by radical, totalitarian and antidemocratic views and beliefs.

Politics is not a measure of everything. It can not decide on everything although it has to recognise the potential of each individual for their own freedom and choice of own path in life. With that, our political stance is headed by solidarity and subsidiarity, which means:

- everyone is entitled to live their life in their own way through responsible use of their freedom;

- everyone has a duty to provide social support to all those who need it and who can not help themselves;

- the responsibility in small living circles shall have priority;

- the larger living circles take care of their own goals and responsibilites and respect and encourage the responsibility of those lower than them.

II. Basic program direction of MHDZ

A healthy economy is the base criteria for a high standard of living and for securing social protection. MHDZ strives upon a social-trade economy which gives everyone the opportunity to expand given their individual capabilities and wishes, as well as protecting the weaker in society by giving them the opportunity to realign themselves within society.

We are wel aware of the problem of unemployment within the young people of Croatia and are aware of the fact that 47% of those unemployed are aged below 30 years. That is why we believe all forces in society must come together in order to fix this growing problem.

As a younger generation political following of HDZ, we focus on modernising the schooling and education systems in the Republic of Croatia. Our goal is to implement high-class educational systems from primary through to university level and in that was educate creative people who will some day become the base of the modern Croatian business-society.

Family is the base of our society. We want to focus primarily on the well-being of young families as the future of our country. Also, we want the national budget to ensure seperate funds in order to solve the housing issue amongst young people, issueing them with long-term loans and ensuring continuous improvements in crediting the needs of young people through the Croatian banks.

As a social country, Croatia has a responsibility to provide for those who are the worst-off in our society; refugees, veterans, sufferers of the Homeland war, mothers, students and the unemployed. Only that way can we ensure stability in out society and an overall growth.

Health care is one of the more vital issues for Croatia's citizens. We inform the need for more useful reforms of the health care system of the Republic of Croatia and stronger investment within that system.

III. Concluding resolution

As a younger generation political organisation, our views and ideals are exposed through the programs we carry out.

Bringing forward this Program Declaration as the base document of the MHDZ Program we oblige ourselves to create the MHDZ Program which we will submit to the National Convention of MHDZ for adoption.

Zagreb, 30.11.2002
VII. Convention of Mladez HDZ

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