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To help youth work flourish all over Europe, National Agencies engage in the Bonn Process with a new strategic co-operation project

The Federal Association of the Youth Welfare Offices of the Länder in Germany has clearly spoken out in favour of strengthening international youth work. In line with the Bonn Process, this strengthens the internationalisation of youth work from a German perspective.

Every three or four years, Germany’s Child and Youth Welfare Association (AGJ) organises the German Child and Youth Welfare Congress (DJHT).
DJHT, i. e. Deutscher Kinder- und Jugendhilfetag, brings together experts and other interested individuals from all over Germany and Europe to exchange opinions and experiences and strengthen networks.
Together with AGJ, JUGEND für Europa, the German National Agency for Erasmus+ Youth and European Solidarity Corps, organises a European programme of special events called Europe@DJHT.

And participants are now cordially called for.

The first 12 national associations made a statement.

In a statement, the German umbrella organisation Bundesvereinigung Kulturelle Kinder- und Jugendbildung (German Federation for Arts Education and Cultural Learning) (BKJ) calls for cultural youth education to be anchored as a field relevant to youth policy throughout Europe.

The European Academy on Youth Work (EAYW) provides a regular platform for reflection, exchange and generating knowledge on current European issues, trends and developments relevant to the youth field. The highlight is the biennial EAYW events. For the second event, contributions and studies on innovative practices in the field of youth work are now being sought.

Eurodesk and ERYICA aim for more recognition for the role of youth information.

Under the title ‘Signposts for the Future’, the 3rd European Youth Work Convention (EYWC) presented a final declaration that sets out guidelines and suggestions for the implementation of a strong European Youth Work Agenda.

The preparatory work has been worthwhile. When the Youth Ministers met yesterday, they took note of a framework for a European Youth Work Agenda, in which they emphasise the importance of youth work for young people and youth policy.

Howard Williamson, Professor of European Youth Policy at the University of South Wales, UK, is co-editor of the Youth Knowledge Books series, seven volumes of The history of youth work in Europe, published by the Council of Europe. JUGEND für Europa talked with him about the history and objectives of the project.

The book project was more than a history project. It was and is a basis for the continued professional development of youth work in Europe.

Professor Andreas Thimmel of Cologne University of Applied Sciences (TH Köln) heads the research group on non-formal education and is director of the University’s Institute for Childhood, Adolescence, Family and Adults (KJFE). In September 2019 he was awarded a three-year professorship for education and youth work in Europe, known as the Jean Monnet Chair.

JUGEND für Europa talked to Suvi Tuominen, manager of Verke, the National Centre of Expertise for Digital Youth Work in Finland and member in the expert group set up under the European Union Work Plan for Youth for 2016-2018.

Germany’s EU Council Presidency in the second half of 2020 will deliver valuable input for the EU Youth Strategy’s three core areas of action: Engage – Connect – Empower.

The subject of digitalisation was not only put on the agenda with Covid-19. 'Digital youth work' has been part of the European Commission’s and the Member States’ youth policy homework for quite some time.

The partnership between the European Commission and the Council of Europe in the field of youth is launching its Massive Open Online Course on Essentials of Youth Work!

Like the Youth Strategy of the European Union, the Council of Europe’s Youth sector strategy seeks to strengthen youth work. Germany has taken up the call.

Germany takes over the EU Council Presidency in the 2nd half of 2020. One of its priority areas is youth work.