Better understanding and knowledge of youth

A “greater understanding and knowledge of youth” is of paramount importance for policy making in the youth field since in order to meet the needs and expectations of young people policies should be based on the best available knowledge and understanding of their needs and expectations. A knowledge based approach to policy making is particularly relevant and useful when dealing with rapidly evolving realities such as the situation of younger generations in Europe. In this respect youth research plays an extraordinary important role in generating a better knowledge and understanding in strategies of European youth policies.

The need for more youth research on youth issues led to a range of activities within the Council of Europe, based on Recommendation 92 (7) of the Committee of Ministers. Activities are based on three main objectives:

• to encourage co-operation in the field of youth research
• to promote dialogue between researchers, policy-makers and professionals
• to publicise and disseminate results of research activities.

The Commission White Paper "A new impetus for European youth" makes a greater understanding and knowledge of youth a priority.  A Council Resolution confirmed the Commission proposals for common objectives for a greater understanding and knowledge of youth and agreed upon the following objectives:

• For timely, efficient and sustainable policy making, it is essential to develop a coherent, relevant and qualitative knowledge area in the youth field in Europe and anticipate future needs, through exchange, dialogue and networks:
• Identify - including at local and regional level - existing knowledge in priority areas of the youth field namely, participation, information and voluntary activities and implement measures to supplement, update and facilitate access to it;
• In a second stage identify - including at local and regional level - existing knowledge in further priority areas of interest to the youth field such as autonomy, non-formal learning, fight against discrimination, education & training, employment, transition from education to employment, social inclusion and health, and implement measures to supplement, update and facilitate access to it;
• Ensure quality, comparability and relevance of knowledge in the youth field by using appropriate methods and tools;
• Facilitate and promote exchange, dialogue and networks to ensure visibility of knowledge in the youth field and anticipate future needs.

In 2003 Council of Europe and European Commission agreed to enhance co-operation for developing a common and better knowledge basis in the youth field through networking and collecting research knowledge in order to inform European youth policy and educational practice. Within a specific agreement, the partnership staff coordinate a network of researchers, nominated by Member States, they organise research seminars on specific topics and they develop and implement the European Knowledge Center for Youth Policy which facilitates the retrieval of knowledge on youth across Europe.

See also the questionnaires on Better understanding and knowledge of youth filled up by the EKCYP correspondants

Related Documents :

Recommendation 92 (7) concerning communication and co-operation in the field of youth research in Europe.

Follow-up to the White Paper on a New Impetus for European Youth.

Proposed common objectives for a greater understanding and knowledge of youth  COM(2004) 336
in response to the Council Resolution of 27 June 2002 regarding the framework of European co-operation in the youth field.

Analysis of Member States' and acceding countries' replies to the Commission questionnaire on a greater understanding and knowledge of youth SEC(2004) 627
Commission staff working paper

Informal Meeting of Youth Ministers and Austria Youth Event 2006:

A knowledge based youth pact  Researcher’s position paper