1st European conference on the history of youth work and policy
It is our ambition to create a forum where European policy makers, scientists and intermediaries can meet each other. They will be able to focus on the historical dimension of youth work and youth policy, without losing sight of the current youth policy, during a debate and various workshops. As well as geographical differences, the people present will also have backgrounds in different disciplines. This creates a good mixture, and forms the ideal introduction to the First European Youth Work Convention (7 - 10 July 2010).
During this conference in the historical city of Ghent we dive into youth work history. We look at different countries and compare their youth work histories. We explore the history of several forms of youth work worldwide, and discuss how they evolved in a different way in different countries. We will have a look at the history of youth policy and youth research in their connection to youth work practice. And we won’t leave out the testimonies of former youth work participants.
Youth work starts where young people are. It is perhaps this general principle that seems to install a certain kind of ‘presentism’ in youth work practice. Youth work concentrates to a large extent on the here and now. The fact that most youth work participants only spend a small part of their lives in youth work reinforces this focus.
Nevertheless, to know where we come from is undeniably an important aspect of our identity. The huge differentiation and diversity in youth work practices sometimes seems to create an identity crisis. What are common features that go beyond this huge methodical differentiation and this large variation in youth work shapes and forms? A weak identity makes it difficult to defend our profile and position in society and to create a more youth-friendly society. Youth workers complain that they are increasingly being instrumentalised by policymakers asking to do things that are at odds with some of our youth work evidences. Youth workers ask for more social recognition. Policymakers on the other hand ask (critical, but justifiable) questions about youth work objectives and processes that are perceived as fuzzy, unpredictable and vague.
Over the years, the youth work sector has established a large collection of best practices. They sometimes structure our activities without being visible or being questioned. Therefore it is good to know where we come from. How did youth work principles evolve through history? Which evidence has been thrown overboard and why? Which policies have already been tried before or are being recycled time and time again and introduced as something brand-new?
In several keynote speeches and work group introductions we address these different topics. The focus will lie on discussions with all participants, who form a mix of researchers, policymakers and practitioners.
The history conference runs from 5 to 7 July and forms the ideal run-up to the first youth work convention later in this week (7-10 July).