Youth organisations work on a rights-based approach at the European Youth Forum Academy

On Thursday 19th June, at the Youth Forum Academy in Vilnius, participant member organsiations discussed taking a rights-based approach in their work, as part of the European Youth Forum’s annual Secretary Generals meeting.

This training helped the member organisations to understand what a rights-based approach is, by identifying its key principles and underlining why this kind of approach is relevant. The practical session used examples coming from different European Platforms and NGOs.

Over the course of the day delegates learnt about tools to help implement a rights-based approach in their work, including concrete instruments such as self-assessment tools and checklists. In terms of putting this approach into practice, it was important to clearly identify which rights the member organisations are concerned with and whose rights they are; in other words, get to know who you are fighting for and how.

Furthermore, participants discussed the positives aspects of a rights-based approach as well as the potential challenges and opportunities of it in the European Youth Forum’s daily work.

This rights-based approach training is a response to the 2013-2014 European Youth Forum work plan’s objective to build the capacity of members in understanding and adopting a genuine rights-based approach, with a specific training session on implementing it in their organisation.

Read more about the European Youth Forum’s rights-based approach here.