How can today’s profound social and political challenges be overcome? And what consequences do they have for international youth work?
The impact of the war in Ukraine, dwindling scope for action for civil society, democracy education, diversity awareness, environmental conservation and climate action were just some of the topics discussed by experts and multipliers at a special forum held at North Rhine-Westphalia’s official representation building in Berlin ahead of the evening event.
At the Parliamentary Evening itself, in her opening remarks Federal Youth Minister Lisa Paus highlighted the importance of giving young people an opportunity to have formative experiences and take part in youth exchanges even in challenging times, and also pledged political backing for such activities. She thanked organisations and youth associations for their commitment to young people’s wellbeing, international understanding, and peace in Europe and the world.
Around 200 guests, among them members of the Bundestag and representatives of ministries, associations and child and youth services providers then debated the challenges facing the international youth work community in 2022, the European Year of Youth.
There followed three panel sessions during which the recommendations to policymakers that came out of the forum were discussed with the members of the Bundestag. Key among them is more financial resources. Specifically, the Federal Government’s Child and Youth Plan needs to be given a larger budget. Financial support should be made available for international projects under Germany’s planned new democracy-building programme “Demokratie leben” (Democracy Live). Currently, its scope does not extend to international projects. Finally, more volunteer engagement needs to be encouraged; this requires more funding for organisations so they can employ more full-time staff.
More sustainability awareness
To encourage a stronger commitment to environment and climate action in international youth work, it is necessary to re-think the funding arrangements and increase recognition. Activities must be implemented in a sustainable manner. This could be incentivised by staggering the funding rates, for instance. CO2 compensation should be considered wherever climate-sensitive travel is not an option because the partner countries are too far apart. At the same time, international train travel needs to be expanded and more targeted investments made in sustainable conference and meeting venues and accommodation. Only if all this is done can organisations actually offer climate-sensitive, eco-friendly activities. Organisations also need assistance in developing a sustainability-aware programme of activities. International youth work brings young people from around the world together, allows them to explore and understand each other’s lives and inspires them to work together for a more sustainable and peaceful world. It should be understood as an irreplaceable instrument for promoting education for sustainable development.
The event was organised by ConAct – Coordination Center for German-Israeli Youth Exchange, the Franco-German Youth Office, the German-Greek Youth Office, the German-Polish Youth Office, Deutsch-Türkische Jugendbrücke, IJAB – International Youth Service of the Federal Republic of Germany, JUGEND für Europa, the German-Russian Youth Exchange Foundation, and Tandem – Czech-German Youth Exchange Coordination Centre.
