"VAN" (Europe Bureau - Aleksey Vesyoliy - 18.04.2022) :: Young people are often referred and seen as "citizens in the making", "future leaders" and are never fully integrated and actively engaged in solving socially relevant problems contributing in creating the society at large. Meanwhile, young people are a major human resource for development and key agents for social change, economic growth, peace building and technological innovations.
Street based youth work organized by MLADINSKI CENTER KRŠKO (Slovenia) (on photo)
The global pandemic has increased risks of social exclusion of young people and especially the most marginalized groups deepening pre-existing inequalities. As psychologists worry that the global pandemic has triggered a loneliness epidemic, new researches suggest feelings of social isolation are on the rise and that those hardest hit are children and young people.
Adolescence and youth are transitional moments when people seek to define their identity and through active participation, young people are empowered to play a vital role in their own development as well as in that of their communities. If young people are involved the youth group activities are more likely to be relevant and enjoyable for young people. This means young people are more likely to attend, and display good behaviour when they do.
Participation is a fundamental right and one of the guiding principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that has been reiterated in many other Conventions and Declarations. Youth active participation is critical building civic capacity and long term community sustainability and peace and should be accessible to young people from all backgrounds, communities and social groups. Through active participation, young people are empowered to play a vital role in their own development as well as in that of their communities, helping to learn vital life-skills, develop knowledge on human rights and citizenship and to promote positive civic action. To participate effectively, young people must be given the proper tools, such as information and education about and access to their civil rights.
It is important for young people’s self-esteem to feel valued by the people they care about, and by themselves. A lack of this can lead to frustration and aggressive behaviour. Excluded young people are hard to reach and the more excluded they are the harder it is. Making contact with young people is not enough; we need to engage and work with them. The problem is compounded by the fact that many marginalized young people express suspicion, even hostility, towards the involvement of professionals in their lives. This is why youth work is so important.
Youth work has direct impact on young people:
● Building young people’s self-esteem and self-confidence
● Developing young people’s ability to manage personal and social relationships
● Creating learning opportunities for young people to develop new skills
● Building the capacity of young people to consider risk and make decisions, take social commitment
Its often voluntary and community-based nature means that youth workers and youth organisations have a better chance than most to make contact and build trusting relationships with young people on the margins of society.
Youth participation is important for the young people themselves, and the community as a whole. Young people become more confident and enthusiastic when they see that their views are being taken seriously and acted upon. They feel increased ownership and responsibility for activities they initiate and implement. Their self-esteem improves, they gain skills, and they become more likely to actively participate in other areas of their lives, for example their local community, school, politics. If young people are involved in planning and decision-making, the youth activities are more likely to be relevant and enjoyable for young people. This means young people are more likely to attend, and display good behaviour when they do. Young people are also able to develop certain attitudes towards themselves as well as in interacting with others.
There is a need for a collective and better understanding of what youth participation involves, how it can be implemented for all youth ages. It is very important to promote inclusive and meaningful youth participation focusing also on youth from the marginalized groups such as youth with disabilities, youth affect by conflicts, HIV etc.
Youth participation can also be improved through youth-friendly information and materials can be developed with young people themselves, through both traditional and progressive technology mediums, such as internet, sms, etc.
Street youth work is all about youth empowerment and supporting young people within their communities. Youth workers literally hit the streets and come and find where young people are spending their time. The Youth Workers aim to meet young people in places where they spend most of their time - whether in the local park, in a shopping centre, etc. Since the lock down has been eased, the groups of young people can meet in parks and outdoor spaces and also indoor places. Street based youth work often reaches socially excluded young people who are out of education, training and work, also youth in deprived, rural communities. There are numerous street activities that can be both engaging and empowering for young people like theatre of the oppressed, various art interventions, flash mobs, treasure hunts, geo-hashing, sports activities etc Street based youth work addresses important topics like intercultural inclusion, stereotypes, bullying and positive self-image of young people.
Depending on the goals of the organization, youth participation may result in very different outcomes for example, may focus on participation as a means to achieve healthy youth development and sustainable development of local community. Street based youth work serves as an important source of information on educational, health and career opportunities for young people. These activities often appear to be successful in reintroducing young people to education, training and employment and supporting their entry to it.
Creating a nurturing environment offering possibilities for youth, specifically with fewer opportunities, to impactfully participate can build a strong sense of ownership and belonging of a community and foster active participation. Communities, society at large can greatly benefit from the rich diversity. Calls for investments in young people have increased dramatically in recent years. These investments are not only essential to enable young people to enjoy their rights, but also to learn to take responsibilities not just about their own lives but also the environment protection. Caring for the environment is an important way to care for all the beings that depend on it for their existence.
Youth leaders and youth organisations should be considered as important actors promoting sustainable development as they work close to the grassroots, and bring the realities and needs of young people to decision and policy making process.
Strategic investments in young people can allow them to claim their rights—to education, health, to live free from violence, discrimination and social exclusion. Thus, more and more countries agree that policies that by helping young people fulfil their potential can also help drive economic development. Young people should not be treated as simply beneficiaries, but as agents of change towards sustainable development. Countries should make the right human capital investments and adopt policies that expand opportunities for young people.
Strategic investments in young people education, skills development, employment, health (including sexual and reproductive health), youth participation in the environment protection and political leadership, will help to realize their full potential and to become innovators, changemakers, peacebuilders and decision makers paying special emphasize on equity, efficiency and sustainability. It is very important to be able take actions with a sustainable approach meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs and in decision making process take into consideration all three sustainable development pillars: economic growth, environmental protection and social equality. It is very essential in a world of limited natural resources.How we meet the needs and aspirations of today’s young people will define the quality of future global leaders and change makers.
Publication author: Sintija Bernava,
Chairwoman of the Board, Non Governmental Organisation "Donum Animus" (Latvia)
Read full story with pictures at EUNetwork.lv
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