Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Foreword
- Introduction
- Part 1 Literature review, theoretical frame and researching youth violence
- Part 2 Meaningful responses to youth violence
- Part 3 Rethinking youth work practice and policy
- Part 4 Youth work responses in action: case studies of praxis
- References
- Index
one - Youth work and youth violence in a European context
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 April 2022
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Foreword
- Introduction
- Part 1 Literature review, theoretical frame and researching youth violence
- Part 2 Meaningful responses to youth violence
- Part 3 Rethinking youth work practice and policy
- Part 4 Youth work responses in action: case studies of praxis
- References
- Index
Summary
Defining youth work
The study that forms the basis of this book was conducted in three European Union (EU) nation states: Germany, Austria and the UK. As such, we were keen to root our analysis in an understanding of how youth work is conceptualised in Europe and to consider the commonalities and divergence between the partner countries. Youth work policies and practices across Europe are not homogeneous but rather celebrate the rich cultural, ethnic, religious and political heritage of a diverse continent. While there is broad political recognition of the value of youth work in Europe (Davies, 2009; Verschelden et al, 2009; Coussée et al, 2010; Taru et al, 2014), there are also tensions: concerns about measuring quality, significance of the contribution to the life trajectories of young people, and legitimacy in difficult financial contexts. Ideological differences, demographic change, and rising inequality both between and within generations, contribute to a potent cocktail of potential misunderstanding.
In April 2015, the 2nd European Convention on Youth Work, sponsored by the Council of Europe, brought together 500 participants from across the EU to seek to establish some common understanding of youth work. In the preface to Finding Common Ground, Howard Williamson concedes that those unfamiliar with youth work might conclude that ‘it can give the impression of … a rather chaotic and disputed field of practice’ (2015, p 3). The declaration seeks to unify what remains a ‘contested ideological and theoretical space’ (Grace and Taylor, 2016) and provides the following definition of youth work as conceived in Europe:
Youth work is about cultivating the imagination, initiative, integration, involvement and aspiration of young people. Its principles are that it is educative, empowering, participative, expressive and inclusive. It fosters their [young people’s] understanding of their place within, and critical engagement with their communities and societies. Youth work helps young people to discover their talents, and develop the capacities and capabilities to navigate an ever more complex and challenging social, cultural and political environment. Youth work supports and encourages young people to explore new experiences and opportunities; it also enables them to recognise and manage the many risks they are likely to encounter. (Council of Europe, 2015, p 4)
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- Information
- Responding to Youth Violence through Youth Work , pp. 13 - 26Publisher: Bristol University PressPrint publication year: 2016