The official declaration of the first youth work convention underlines the great importance of cooperation and knowledge sharing for the youth work sector. More than 400 youth workers and youth policy makers reflected on and debated the future of youth work at the convention. On 10 July 2010, the convention set out its conclusions in an official declaration.

In the new framework for European cooperation in the youth field (2010-2018), youth work is included in an official EU document for the first time. The aim of the convention was to take the first step towards a future agenda and action plan.

The convention’s official declaration is addressed to the European Commission, national ministers with jurisdiction in the youth field, the Council of Europe, and youth workers and policy makers in general. The principle conclusions of the convention are as follows:

- Cooperation between youth workers and policy makers: the declaration emphasises that cooperation between youth workers and policy makers is essential for better mutual understanding.
- Cooperation with other sectors: those taking part in the convention believe that cooperation with other sectors, such as healthcare, employment and justice, can lead to more effective results.
- Knowledge sharing: according to those taking part, more knowledge must be shared between youth workers so that experience and good practices can be better disseminated.
- Diversity: the resolution emphasises the fact that diversity and a low entry threshold are very important for youth work. Consequently, youth workers must also receive better training so that they can meet these requirements.
- Mobility and networking: those taking part in the convention felt it was extremely important that there should be the opportunity for greater international and intercultural exchanges to ensure more effective knowledge sharing.
- Sustainable support: the declaration emphasises the importance of a statutory framework for sustainable support for youth work.

Press contact:
Jan Balliu
Agency for Socio-Cultural Work for Youth and Adults
+32 (0)498 361 226 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              +32 (0)498 361 226      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
jan.balliu@cjsm.vlaanderen.be

source
declaration of first European Youth Work Convention