Youth workers need …

to be aware of and able to articulate the role and mission of the youth workers, and not to lend themselves to aims and activities that fall outside the realm of the core principles.

If youth work is to be better recognised, youth workers must be able not only to describe what they do, but also, and even more important, to articulate why they are doing it, their aims, as well as their role and the core principles that guide their actions.

This is important in relation to young people as well as in relation to the political level and other stakeholders. The surrounding society and all stakeholders concerned need to know and understand what to expect from youth work and why it is carried out in the way it is.

Being able to clearly express these things also make it easier for youth workers and youth work providers to act with integrity, not having to engage in activities that does not comply with the core principles.

Do you agree on what this means in practice?
Do you agree on to what degree youth work meets this bullet point?
Here you find the questions you need to discuss to find out!

If you think that this is something you need to work on, click the “Add to development agenda” button below. You will then find your agenda on your personal page and be able to start a development process.

Please note!
If you start a development process related to this bullet point you will find the below questions also under the page “Discuss and assess”. There you will also be able to take notes.

Questions to discuss

Is local youth work presenting itself through what it does, its activities, or through talking about its role and mission?
- How is youth work presenting/promoting itself in relation to young people?
- How is youth work presenting/promoting itself in relation to other stakeholders?
What are the risks of youth work presenting itself mainly through its activities?
What are the risks of not being able to clearly articulate the role and mission of youth work?

References & tips

Some of the skills needed for doing this, mentioned in the Council of Europe Youth Work Portfolio are “communication, networking, co-operation, partnership building, democratic leadership, advocacy, public speaking, presentation.”