Slovenia

The UN’s Human Development Index or HDI ranks Slovenia 27th out of 177 countries and is seen as a model of economic success amongst its neighboring countries. Only 10 percent of Slovenia’s population is below the poverty line because of its high-income economy.

Slovenia has a comprehensive welfare system and provides universal health care to its citizens. There are also low unemployment rates in Slovenia.

Although discrimination against women is illegal in Slovenia, women continue to have disadvantages in society when it comes to employment, equal pay for equal work, and involvement in decision making. There are also only a few women with high-level public positions. Moreover, violence against women is underreported.

Slovenia has a high rate of domestic violence and has several cases of trafficking of women and children. There is a lack of specific legal provisions and governmental programs to prevent them.

There have been many reported cases wherein victims of mistreatment by law enforcers have not been given proper justice.

There is also discrimination against certain minority groups such as the Roma, who do not have the freedom to practice their cultural rights. A large number of the Roma are being denied of health care and education.

Slovenia has a very low number of HIV/AIDS cases. The most recent report shows that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is less than 0.1% of the population and that deaths from HIV/AIDS is estimated to be fewer than 100. The main mode of HIV transfer appears to be sex between men.

Slovenia’s forests suffer from metallurgical and chemical plant emissions by industrial pollutants.

Rivers and coastal waters are also polluted with domestic and industrial waste such as heavy metals and toxic chemicals.

Certain animal species such as the Italian agile frog and the Beluga are threatened due to increasing industrialization.

Recently, the Slovenian Ministry of Economy supported an energy policy by the European Commission that seeks to combat climate change.

Slovenia has a high literacy rate. Approximately 99.7% of the population are literate. More than half of the population is enrolled in tertiary education.

Slovenia recently added another year to their usual compulsory eight-year primary education program. This new system is said to secure compatibility with primary education in Western Europe.

International Civil Defense Organization (ICDO) - The ICDO is an inter-governmental organization whose objective is to contribute to the development by States of structures ensuring the protection and assistance of populations and safeguarding property and the environment from natural or man-made disasters.

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial, neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and internal violence and to provide them with assistance. It directs and coordinates the international relief activities conducted by the Movement in situations of conflict. It also endeavors to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) - The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. Vulnerable people are those who are at greatest risk from situations that threaten their survival, or their capacity to live with an acceptable level of social and economic security and human dignity. Often, these are victims of natural disasters, poverty brought about by socio-economic crises, refugees, and victims of health emergencies.

International Relief Friendship Foundation (IRFF) - We are steered by a vision of world peace through compassion and action, focusing on youth, service and inter-action programs. Our aim is to reach out the youth to be actively involved in the community and facilitate young people to build their ideas, dreams and projects into a reality. The common vision and task we share is one of living for the sake of others.

UNICEF - UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential.

World Health Organization (WHO) - WHO's objective, as set out in its Constitution, is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. Health is defined in WHO's Constitution as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Service for Peace (SFP) - Service For Peace connects diverse groups and individuals through transformative service learning experiences that change communities. SFP develops projects and educational programs that motivate volunteers to serve in their communities on a continual basis. Our goal is to fully engage our volunteers through effective and meaningful service. The PATHMAKERS program helps participants think of permanent solutions to larger problems, even when working on a very local level.

Volunteers for Peace (VFP) - VFP promotes International Voluntary Service as an effective means of intercultural education and community service. VFP provides projects where people from diverse backgrounds can work together to help overcome the need, violence and environmental decay facing our planet. Projects are truly a microcosm of a world where nations join together giving priority to improving life for humanity. They are a practical way to both prevent and resolve conflict.