On December 24-28 the "50/50" training seminar for youth workers from authorities and public organizations of the CIS Member States was held.
The format of the training seminar implied participation on an equal footing of representatives of governmental and non-governmental sectors of the CIS Member States and provided the unique opportunity to work together on common challenges and issues in the sphere of youth policy, to find common ways of their solution, to share experience in working with youth and realization of youth projects, and to develop joint initiatives.
The aim of the event is to increase the role of youth centres and open spaces for youth in the system of youth policy and youth work contributing to the expansion of youth participation at the municipal and regional levels of the CIS.
Objectives:
- To review the experience of youth centres and open spaces for youth in the CIS Member States in the processes of development and implementation of youth policy at different levels,
- To analyze the strengths of youth centres and open spaces for youth and identify points of growth for further development in terms of inclusiveness, accessibility, attractiveness for young people and relevance of the content and forms of work,
- To discuss the necessary competencies of the staff of youth centres and open spaces for young people and the recognition of their work in the system of youth policy,
- To develop draft recommendations for authorities at different levels to more actively involve youth centres and open spaces for youth in the youth policy agenda,
- To initiate the creation of a network of youth centres and open spaces for youth in the Commonwealth of Independent States for further implementation of joint initiatives including the development of standards and quality criteria,
- To promote the dialogue and cooperation between representatives of the public sector and leaders of youth organizations for the implementation of joint youth policy at the regional and municipal levels.
Participants were 35 people. They were representatives of youth public associations, representatives of non-profit organizations working with youth at different levels, state civil servants and municipal employees who in their daily activities are involved in issues related to working with youth, representatives of state and municipal youth centres, representatives of open spaces for youth in the CIS.
Key outcomes: During the forum the participants discussed the role of youth centres and open spaces for youth in the system of youth policy, reviewed the experience of youth centres and open spaces for youth in the CIS, analyzed the strengths of youth centres and open spaces for youth, learned about the RMSOS model and Roger Hart's "Ladder of Participation", discussed standards of youth centres and open spaces and necessary competencies of the staff of youth centres and open spaces for young people.
