Early findings from the Academy’s Rapporteur: Dr Theo Gavrielides Founder & Director of the IARS International Institute and Restorative Justice for All T.Gavrielides@iars.org.uk

The Academy works on the demands of the 2nd European Youth Work Convention (2015) to: “Further develop the concepts and practice of youth work, to find strategies to work on the current and emerging challenges faced by young people and to renew its practice and strategies according to the changes and trends in society and politics”.

Current trends, challenges and … innovation in youth work in Europe! What was our focus? Current trends, challenges and … innovation in youth work in Europe!

What have we done so far? Literature review 100 proposals 36 case studies & questionnaires Background paper … and to visualise it ….

Well… we didn’t have to fast forward … because we asked! Day 1:

Day 2:

What trends had we already identified in European youth work? Professionalisation (legitimisation – credibility) Standardisation (funding – occupational standards) The blurring of sectorial lines (the role of civil society) Transparency and accountability (evaluations, monitoring reports)

…and what trends did we add during the Academy

…and what trends did we add during the Academy

…and … yes … we asked again …

How did we frame innovation?! An ”innovative idea, practice, policy ….” is meant to respond to a need that is Current Unknown Challenging Innovation is defined not through the given action, but the nature, scale and scope of the need it aims to address…. But where? The local – the national and the European!

… and what did you say innovation is …

… and what did you say innovation is …

… and what drives innovation is …

… and what drives innovation is …

What issues did we identify for youth work? Technological Financial Political Social Accessible youth, individualism etc Nationalism, youth policy without youth, radicalization, etc New forms of crime, bullying, digital divide, etc Youth unemployment, competition, powerful and the powerless, etc

… and what do we want to see more on the European youth agenda?

… and now the moment that you’ve all been waiting for … … and now the moment that you’ve all been waiting for …. Yes … 102 responses to …

Zoom out question 1 – positive:

Zoom out question 1 – negative:

Good collaboration with all sectors… But we should have more options in case of co-operators in different countries. Without partners it is really difficult to achieve the goal, to help the Young people and their communities We end up focusing on being innovative and doing short term punctual activities instead of quality processes Youth work has changed, as the social circumstances changed. It shifted from a civil society engagement into more providing services for young people. It has been driven a lot by employability agenda. It also increased the level of professionalism needed Youth work controlled by bodies instead of youth workers is a top down approach that hinders quality. 

Zoom out question 2 – positive:

Zoom out question 2 – negative:

It strengthens youth work and contributes to knowledge building. We use more researchers working with us, also documenting work more and finding ways to show impact of our work. Youth work controlled by bodies instead of youth workers is a top down approach that hinders quality.  It gives us more administrative work and put us away from young people. Its time consuming. Mostly the results are wanted in numbers but numbers don't tell the full truth. It strengthens youth work and contributes to knowledge building. We get lost in administrative stuff and reporting and have less time to actually impact

Zoom out question 3 – positive:

Zoom out question 3 – negative:

The agenda needs to include youth from neighbouring countries. Recognition measures and more focused on specific resources dedicated to reach the agenda aims I believe that having youth workers instead of other professions deciding a youth work framework would support the field. The important is who makes the framework and which is the methodology and process for it. Youth workers involved instead of people from the commission with economy background and people with no connection with urban and rural youth. The European framework should define roles of youth work institutions and organisations as well as the role of youth worker to support the recognition of the work. The European Framework should support youth pilot projects more and should make a framework for youth-led projects