YOUNG Costa Ricans place morevalue on protecting the environment thanfostering economic growth, according to acomparative study of political culture inCentral America conducted by the nongovernmentalorganization PROCESOS.The study involved Central Americanhigh school students between seventh andeleventh grades.According to the study, 69% of CostaRican students said protection of the environmentshould be a top priority, comparedto only 8% that mentioned economicgrowth as their main concern. The studyrevealed that young people throughout theregion are deeply concerned about the environment.More importance was given to reducingpollution and protecting people in needthan attracting high-tech firms. In CostaRica, only 7.5% considered high-techfirms a priority. Honduras has the highestpercentage (14%) of young people whoconsidered high-tech firms a priority.Students throughout the region mentionedthe importance of democracies, butin general expressed limited trust forpolitical parties.Most students also said taking careof people should be one of the government’stop priorities.
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