Youth workers need …

to continuously and critically reflect on how their own actions, as well as local objectives, methods and ways of organising activities comply with the core principles.

If youth work is to meet the core principle that it should “execute and promote critical thinking and creativity” youth workers must continuously look at themselves in the mirror and critically analyse what they see. Doing so, and taking the consequences, is a pre-requisite for dynamic youth work.

This is also important since keeping the “development initiative” and actively come up with suggestions for changes and new initiatives is crucial if youth work should not be told by others in which way to develop.

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  1. Discuss & assess
    Here you find the questions you need to ask yourself to know if you need to develop and the assessment function
  2. Set objectives
    Here you describe what you want to achieve.
  3. Needs
    Here you describe what you need to acquire, develop or change.
  4. Actions to take
    Here you describe the actions you plan to take.

Remember! Development is far from always a linear process! It needs to start with discussions,​ but the first ‘Action to take’ might be to gather more knowledge before setting aims for development and deciding on further actions to take. Dare to be both flexible and to take one step back before taking two steps forward!

References & tips