Important step forward for youth work

There was a positive outcome for youth work this week at the Council of Europe Joint Council on Youth in Budapest. In a unique setup where youth and ministerial representatives jointly steer the work in the field of youth, the Joint Council met for its first bi-annual meeting, which took place on 27-29 March at the European Youth Centre.

The highlight of this meeting was the approval of a recommendation on youth work that will be sent to Ministers for final approval. It will create a new policy framework on youth work across Europe. The document recommends that quality youth work is accessible across Europe for all young people through strategies, education, training, legislation, sustainable structures and resources.

“This is an important step forward for youth work, for youth organisations and other youth work providers,” explained Tina Hočevar, Board Member of the European Youth Forum. “They will be able to rely on a framework document to ensure they have the possibility to do even better work with young people. It is also an example of excellent cooperation between the European Youth Forum and the Council of Europe Youth Department all along the process.”

The Joint Council also discussed how to improve the co-management between youth and ministerial representatives for it to be even more representative, effective and innovative. A process for a long-term agenda for 2020-2030 was also initiated. On the issue of young refugees and unaccompanied minors, it was decided to create a drafting group, including the Youth Forum network on migration and human rights. This could lead to a ministerial recommendation or policy guidelines, depending on the decision of the next Joint Council in October.

The European Youth Forum is an observer of the Joint Council and will host the election of 20 of the 30 youth representatives for the next two years during its Council of Members on 21-22 April.