Nitra, Slovakia — The President of the Slovak Republic, Peter Pellegrini, visited the city of Nitra in the end of October. One of the topics on the agenda was to discuss the Planet Youth initiative, a program modeled after Iceland’s youth prevention approach, which aims to reduce youth substance abuse through community-driven engagement. President Pellegrini’s visit to Nitra was met with appreciation from local leaders, who emphasized that his engagement went beyond symbolism, reflecting a deeper commitment to tackling youth issues in Slovakia.

Mayor Marek Hattas expressed his gratitude for the President’s visit, highlighting the significance of the support for Planet Youth. “I am extremely glad that Mr. President showed great interest and expressed his support for the Planet Youth Icelandic prevention model, which we have been successfully implementing in Nitra,” Hattas remarked. “As the mayor of a regional city, I discussed what I consider crucial for Nitra. The future of our youth is one of them.”

Following a meeting at the Nitra Town Hall, President Pellegrini and Mayor Hattas held a press conference where the President lauded the community approach of the Planet Youth model, emphasizing its potential for broader implementation. “Nitra city is implementing a unique program that they took over from Iceland,” President Pellegrini noted. “Together with a community approach and involving everyone, its aim is to help young people spend their time in such a way that the smallest possible percentage succumbs to the consumption of substances.”

Pellegrini further expressed his hope that the model would expand beyond Nitra, suggesting it could become a pilot project for other cities across Slovakia. “I think Planet Youth deserves our attention and support, the support of our government and other authorities as well,” he said, highlighting the need for more initiatives to bring this model to a national level.

Mayor Hattas recognized the dedication of Nitra’s vice-mayor, Miloslav Špoták, and the entire team involved in the Planet Youth initiative. He emphasized that their unwavering commitment has made it possible to establish Planet Youth as a viable and transformative force in the community, striving to create a safer and healthier environment for Nitra’s youth.

With growing support from national leaders, Planet Youth in Nitra stands as a hopeful model that could inspire similar efforts across Slovakia, reflecting a united commitment to the well-being and future of the nation’s youth.

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