EN Official Journal of the European Union C 170/2

Council conclusions on reinforcing youth work to ensure cohesive societies

(2015/C 170/02)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

RECALLING

1. The Renewed Framework for European Cooperation in the Youth Field (2010-2018) (1) which emphasises the need to support the development of youth work.

2. The Resolution of the Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member states, meeting within the Council, on youth work (2).

3. The Council conclusions on the contribution of quality youth work to the development, well-being and social inclusion of young people (3).

4. The current EU Work Plan for Youth 2014-2015 (4) of which one of the three main priorities is the development of youth work and non-formal and informal learning.

5. The statement by the Members of the European Council following their informal meeting on 12 February 2015 which underlined that initiatives regarding inter alia education and social integration are of great importance in preventing radicalisation (5).

6. The declaration adopted by EU education ministers at their informal gathering in Paris on 17 March 2015 in which they highlighted the importance of efforts to prevent and tackle marginalisation, intolerance, racism and radicalisation and to preserve a framework of equal opportunities for all (6).

TAKES NOTE

7. Of the work done by the Expert Group on Youth Work Quality Systems in the EU Member States (7) as established by the EU Work Plan on Youth 2014-2015, as well as the study ‘Working with Young People: the Value of Youth Work in the EU’ (8).

STRESSES

8. The importance of youth work in contributing to personal, including professional, development, promoting values of social inclusion, cultural diversity, active citizenship and providing peer-environment based on mutual respect and tolerance.

9. The key role that youth work can play in reaching out to all young people of different backgrounds, including marginalised youth and those not in employment, education or training.

UNDERLINES

10. The importance of further developing youth work across Europe and further strengthening EU cooperation in this field.

ACCORDINGLY INVITES THE MEMBER STATES TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE PRINCIPLE OF SUBSIDIARITY

11. To demonstrate continuous commitment towards the development of quality and professional youth work provision, including by paid staff and volunteers, by developing supportive measures at all levels, including education and training opportunities for youth workers.

12. To increase the outreach of youth work by focusing also on older age groups of young people (aged 18 and over) and young people with fewer opportunities.

INVITES THE MEMBER STATES AND THE COMMISSION WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE COMPETENCES

13. To establish a flexible framework for - and engage in - mutual learning and the exchange of good practice with regard to quality in youth work, especially with the aim of reaching out to all young people.

14. To further strengthen ‘quality’ in youth work through considering the development of indicators, quality tools and systems which can be used in different forms of youth work in the different situations of the Member States at all levels.

15. To enhance recognition of youth work by providing visibility not only to quantitative but also qualitative aspects and its impacts on young people’s lives and cohesion in society.

16. To consider the issues relating to knowledge, skills and competences acquired through non-formal and informal learning in the youth sector in any future review and other processes linked to the Council Recommendation of 20 December 2012 on the validation of non-formal and informal learning and its successful implementation.

INVITES THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

17. Taking into account the Expert Group on Youth Work Quality Systems results, to conduct a study with a focus on developing basic quality principles for youth work in Europe (and a handbook for implementation). If relevant, this could serve both as a reference and a guidance tool for national youth work services and facilities, ensuring transparency and quality for young people, including those in mobility.

18. To consider making a proposal, in the light of the results of the relevant studies and the work of the Expert Group, as well as activities carried out within different international fora, for a Council Recommendation on youth work with an emphasis on promoting young people’s inclusion, citizenship and a more cohesive society.

(1) OJ C 311, 19.12.2009, p. 1.

(2) OJ C 327, 4.12.2010, p. 1.

(3) OJ C 168, 14.6.2013, p. 5.

(4) OJ C 183, 14.6.2014, p. 5.

(5) Informal meeting of the Heads of State or Government — Brussels, 12 February 2015.

(6) Declaration on promoting citizenship and the common values of freedom, tolerance and non-discrimination through education.

(7) Quality Youth Work. A common framework for the further development of youth work. Report from the Expert Group on Youth Work Quality Systems in the EU Member States, 2015.

(8) Working with Young People: the Value of Youth Work in the EU. ICF GKH, 2014.