The recognition of youth work asks for political engagement and will to take responsibility in the policy making process. This will get manifest through clear long-term aims and short-term objectives and the strive for necessary continuity regarding both aims and funding. Local youth work policy should frame and guide local youth work.
Youth organisations, NGOs and other independent organisations should however always be free to set their own aims and objectives. If these organisations are funded by public money, it is also important to keep in mind and respect the core principle that youth work should promote critical thinking, and its related mission to support and defend young people’s right to argue and act for changes even when it puts them in conflict with other actors, might they be local politicians or school authorities.
