The objective of the National Research Programme 52 is to generate new findings with regard to the current living conditions and needs of children and adolescents, and how these may develop in future. Intergenerational and legal aspects are of particular importance since there is a considerable lack of research in these areas in Switzerland. Furthermore, the need for action in the area of policy-making, by the federal, cantonal and municipal administrative authorities, as well as in the economic sector and non-profit making organizations, should be clarified. These findings can then form the basis from which appropriate measures can be introduced.

The issues addressed by the NRP 52 can be divided into six modules:
New data on living conditions of children, adolescents and their families in Switzerland
Legal and economic aspects 
Intergenerational issues in social and migration policy
Families as a focus of intergenerational relationships
Psychosocial health
Aspects of everyday life: education and recreation

The research findings are used to draw up a future-oriented policy for children and adolescents, which is linked to a corresponding family policy. In addition to creating a framework for a general, intergenerational social policy, the findings serve to firmly establish and promote socioscientific life-course research in Switzerland. The findings provide near-to-practice basic structures and innovative suggestions as to how infrastructures for the family both in and outside of the home at municipal, cantonal and federal level can be strengthened. These are important and are necessary for the positive development of children and adolescents. Not least, the implementation of legal regulations is also a key characteristic for future development.

National research programmes are the Swiss Confederation's development tools. The issues and problems addressed as part of a NRP are generally of a socio-political nature. Acknowledged by political authorities to be problem areas, such issues are handed over to the scientific community in order that it may assist in finding solutions. The issues have an inter- or transdisciplinary focus and research is coordinated across all the projects. The preferred solution approaches are those with an implementation focus, since the combination of these approaches should provide answers to the issues.

Download: A profile of the NRP 52 can be downloaded here in pdf format.

Profile of the NRP 52 (PDF, 2.2 MB)