Laboratory on methods, tools and theories used in practice to enhance the European dimension of youth workers, theories in practise used in youth workers education and curricula

The Laboratory provides an opportunity to showcase and to experiment tools and methodologies developed and implemented in the context of the education and training of youth workers. Particularly the event aims to investigate how the European dimension plays a role in the practice of youth work.

What do we mean by European dimension?

In different policy documents [1] youth work often identified as a key actor in supporting young people to find themselves as active citizens of societies. European values serve as the guiding principles in youth work, emphasizing fundamental rights, democracy, equality, solidarity, and respect for diversity. Youth work actively promotes these values by creating inclusive spaces where young people from diverse backgrounds can engage, express themselves freely, and participate in decision-making processes. By fostering mutual respect, tolerance, and understanding, youth work empowers young individuals to appreciate and embrace the richness of Europe's cultural, social, and linguistic diversity. Moreover, this dimension is related to the knowledge of European youth work; those policies having an impact on the youth and youth work including the possibilities offered by the mobility programmes.

Specific objectives

To bring together and enhance cooperation with relevant stakeholders from formal and non-formal educational sectors involved in designing and implementing curricula for the education and training of youth workers including the European dimension;

To gather different models, tools, theories in practice and methodologies developed and implemented in (international) youth work practice, in the context of the education of youth workers and vice versa.

To explore and discuss relevant aspects and challenges connected to youth worker training & education with regard to political aspects of the European dimension e.g. How to deal with Euroscepticism?, How to tackle  political education with regards to expectations and realities?

To create links with complementary processes connected to the training and recognition of youth workers as a profession, such as those initiated in the context of the European Training Strategy and the European Youth Work Agenda.

Format and working style

The laboratory aims to broaden its scope by bringing together a diverse group. The laboratory features presentations, discussions, interactive sessions, and workshops to share and practice methods, tools and methodologies and to reflect about how to develop further ones adapted to the different curricula. Through these activities, participants will develop strategies for integrating European Youth Work-related approaches into curricula and propose ways forward for building the sector's capacity.  The organisers intend to inspire participants to integrate the European dimension more in their curriculum and training programs.

Opportunities for contributions

We are looking for different types/formats of contributions that address one or more objectives of the Laboratory. The following alternatives we suggest for consideration while applying for the Laboratory.

Presentation (30 minutes)

We are looking for presentations of methodologies or applied tools with the possibility to open a Q&A session to collect feedback and further discuss transferability.

For Workshops (60 minutes)

We are looking for contributions of practices, methodologies or techniques to be showcased, where participants are offered the possibility to try out, and /or actively experience the method/practice.

Fair/Bazaar

We plan to have a fair/bazaar activity, where resources and concrete tools can be checked and tried out. Hence to enhance interaction it is not relevant the extent of presentations, but to get easily and quickly familiarized.

Target Group

The Laboratory is open to for 50 representatives from Higher Education (academics, placement coordinators), representatives from associations of youth workers and the youth work sector, non-formal educators and trainers who have developed, experimented or implemented models, tools and methodologies particularly the ones enhancing/tackling the European dimension as well. The Laboratory is organized by the Strategic National Agency Cooperation on Education and Training of Youth Workers (Eat SNAC).

Note [1]: Resolution of the EU Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on youth work or Resolution of the EU Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council on the Framework for establishing a European Youth Work Agenda 2020/C 415/01 and Council of Europe Recommendation CM/Rec(2017)4 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on youth work