Bridge for Recognition

The european event "Bridges for Recognition of Youth Work" was organised by SALTO-YOUTH (Flamish) JINT.

The Bridges Report Promoting Recognition of Youth Work across Europe (Leuven, 19-23 January 2005)

The forum aimed...

• to stimulate the recognition of skills and learning by young people through participation in youth work activities
• to enhance the social recognition of youth work in society (by schools, employers)
• raising the visibility of youth work and its recognition within and outside the youth sector

Bridges for Recognition brought together different stakeholders in the recognition debate (education sector, labour market, policy makers and youth work) in order to build bridges between those sectors and create smoother roads between different types of learning and opportunities created by them.

• Politicians realise that people don't only learn in schools but also in youth work
• Schools are diversifying their methods and get inspired by non-formal learning
• Employers are looking for competencies which are explored in youth activities
• Youth work realises that they can make a contribution to the knowledge society
• Young people want to take advantage of the competences they gained

Background of Bridges

Almost half of the over 75 million young people in Europe (between 15-25) actively participate in a wide variety of organisations and associations (youth, cultural, sports, religious...). Often it is forgotten that through participation in youth activities or taking on responsibilities within these organisations, young people gain valuable skills and competences.

"It is through organising activities in the local youth club that I actually learned how to set up projects from beginning to end, making sure to have money but also people on board, and work with them responsibly. If it wasn't for being active in the youth club, I would never be where I am now, organising a conference on the recognition of non-formal learning." Tony Geudens (Belgium)- Event Manager Bridges for Recognition

"It is not easy to find a good job. In my European Voluntary Service in a social housing project in Manchester, I had the chance to do a photography project with the children, which gave me inspiration to start my vocational training in the graphic sector. But this was not all what I learned: I am now fluent in English, more open minded and self confident." Egemen Özyay (Germany) - Trainee Graphic Company

Bridges Virtual Community
Discussions are still going on ONLINE !  More... 

More information about "Bridge for Recognition"