Article by Fatima Elzahra Ismail
To mark the European Year of Skills, A powerful event spotlighting the impact of youth work was organised by the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) team and NYCI’s Young Voices-EU Youth Dialogue Core Group.
Young Voices works within national frameworks and at the EU level to influence policies that impact young individuals. The event was especially focused on showcasing the skills acquired by young individuals through youth work, fostering their confidence and enhancing their ability to convey these invaluable skills to future employers.
EU Youth Dialogue: Inclusive Societies EU Youth Goal 3
As the 10th year of the EU Youth Dialogue, the overall theme of the day was inclusive societies- EU Youth Goal 3. The EU Youth Dialogue is a flagship youth participation mechanism at EU level aiming to bring youth voice to EU policy-making. Its main element is the dialogue between young people, youth organisations, policy and decision makers, as well as experts, researchers and other relevant civil society actors. It serves as a forum for continuous joint reflection and consultation on the priorities, implementation and follow-up of European cooperation in the field of youth.
Energizer: Mentimeter Questions
The electric atmosphere with around 110 young people was only the beginning of unlocking the potential within these individuals. To kickstart the day, Mentimeter questions were set to bring everyone together. Questions revolving around the problems of today’s world were discussed. The Mentimeter cloud highlighted the collective awareness of global issues such as poverty, climate action, and war, showcasing the participants’ engagement in discussions about the challenges our world faces. Additionally, young people deliberated on the skills a leader should possess. A clear consensus was evident, with the majority emphasising the critical role of communication.
Real-Life Situations
The consultation began with mapping out real life situations for a young person and then identifying the barriers, supports and changes that need to be made. The Young Voices Core Group stepped up and facilitated these conversations and presented the 9 grounds of discrimination as a tool for thinking about why young people experience exclusion. The ability to recognise the intersectionality of the 9 grounds of discrimination was essential for fostering a comprehensive and inclusive approach to addressing systemic inequities. A large visual representation in the form of a timeline was created by participants. An encouraging message reminding us to “let compassion into your heart” was stapled as the centrepiece of the timeline.
Reflection Session
Following the consultation, a reflection session took place where young people were invited to share what their experience was like and what stood out to them. A wide array of critical issues were discussed, including but not limited to education, transportation, direct provision, and the persistent issue of racism. The objective of these conversations was to ensure that all marginalised young people have equal access to formal and non-formal learning environments in the future. This involves implementing the right to a living wage, fair work conditions, universal access to quality healthcare, and ensuring specific measures tailored for marginalised young people.
Guest Speakers: Insights and Recognition of Youth Work
The ambiance of the event took a significant upturn as a variety of guest speakers took the stage to share their experience and insights. With NYCI actively working on the recognition of skills young people gain through youth work, the online tool Skills Summary was developed. Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment) Neale Richmond noted that this is something that has been “needed for decades”. Jamie Moore, a specialist in public and stakeholder engagement; Peter Byrne, the CEO of South Dublin Chamber and the Irish Employers Representative to the European Economic and Social Committee; and Kelvin Akpaloo, a youth worker who believes in the power of creative media to make a difference, all shared their unique stories about youth work and the enduring impact it has had on them, and continues to have. Siobhán Kinsella also discussed transversal skills and the reasons they cannot be replaced by AI.
Workshops and Exhibitions
To foster an environment for collective discussions, different workshops took place, offering participants diverse opportunities for engagement and interaction. Young people and employers had the opportunity to learn about the work of different youth groups including Eurobug, Local Champions, Global Youth Work Young People’s Committee Youth2030, and Young Voices EU Youth Dialogue. Organisations such as NYCI Skills Summary, NYCI Young Voices, Eurodesk, Irish Second-Level Students’ Union, Youth Work Ireland, Crooked House, Young Social Innovators, YMCA, Foróige, and Scouting Ireland showcased the work they do in an exhibition space where everyone had the opportunity to find different resources that are available to them. A highlight for many participants was the innovative and immersive opportunity to learn and try VR Headsets.
Transformative Power of Youth Work
By the end of the event, inspiration lingered in the air, as a result of the discussions, workshops and the remarkable energy radiated by all participants. In Kelvin Akpaloo’s analogy, he expressed that individuals may initially feel like “a single grain of rice in a bag”; however, through the transformative power of youth work, each person can find their voice and has the ability to inspire positive change in both themselves and those around them. Through open dialogue and collaboration, it became evident that building inclusive societies remains possible, even in the face of adversity.