Recognition of Youth Work and Youthpass

Recognition of non-formal and informal learning in the youth field

YOUTH 2013January 2013, Jyväskylä/FI

YOUTH 2013 – Jyväskylä, Jan 2013

Highlights of recent European developments in the field of recognition of youth work and non-formal learning / education

– Youthpass– The 4 dimensions of recognition– Political context– Pathways paper and its implementation

Youthpass

Tool for participants of projects funded by the Youth in Action (YiA) Programme: young people and youth workers.

3 roles of Youthpass:•Youthpass certificate•Youthpass process•Strategy for recognition of youth work and non-formal learning/education in the youth field

Multilingual tool implemented with the support network of YiA National Agencies and other experts.

Youthpass certificate

Page 1:•Information about the project and type of activity within YiA•Logo of the organisation, signature of a legal representative•Possibility to verify authenticity

Page 2:•Project description•Signature of the representative of the project

Page 3 and ff:•Information about the individual contribution to the project•Description of learning outcomes

Description of learning outcomes

Self-assessment and the dialogue process

Description of learning results, based on the EU key competences

Signature of the learner, also dialogue partner if applicable

References

Further information on YiA and the key competences

The EU key competences for lifelong learning

Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council on key competences for lifelong learning (December 2006)

Competences: combination of skills, knowledge and attitudes

1.Communication in the mother tongue

2.Communication in foreign languages

3.Mathematical competence, basic competences science / technology

4.Digital competence

5.Learning to learn

6.Social and civic competences

7.Sense of initiative and entrepreneurship

8.Cultural awareness and expression

In the certificate also: „Other specific competences“

Youthpass processRemain open

for the unexpected

Remain open

for the unexpected

Some ways of describing learning outcomes

• Linking the description to the learning objectives set at the beginning of the project– Objectives as a reference point– Important to stay aware of possible changes during the project

• Situations as a starting point– Practical examples as well as proof of how new insights and skills

were used. – Allows to link learning to taking on a new role, performing a new

task, giving shape to an idea, etc.

• The story of the process– A learning story, e.g. “When I filled in the application form for the

course….”, or “when arriving in Tallinn on the first day of my project …”

Strategic aims of Youthpass

•support to reflection upon the personal (non-formal) learning process

•social recognition of youth work

•employability of young people and youth workers

•active participation of young people in society

... for recognition tools in youth work

Some challenges...

Fear of „reducing“ youth work to non-formal learning

Fear of (over)-formali-sation

Diversity of learning contexts

Diversity of learners

Diversity of learning results

Additional workload for organi-sations

information

user-friendliness of

the tool

training

flexibility

Support to

users

Pathways paper 2.0 and its implementation

Four dimensions of recognition:

• Political recognition

• Formal recognition

• Social recognition

• Individual recognition

Political recognition means the recognition of non-formal education in legislation and/or the inclusion of non-formal learning/education in political strategies, and the involvement of non-formal learning providers in these strategies. 

Self recognition means the assessment by the individual of learning outcomes and the ability to use these learning outcomes in other fields.

Pathways paper 2.0 and its implementation

Social recognition means that social players acknowledge the value of competences acquired in non-formal settings and the work done within these activities, including the value of the organizations providing this work.

Formal recognition means the ‘validation’ of learning outcomes and the ‘certification’ of a learning process and/or these outcomes by issuing certificates or diplomas which formally recognise the achievements of an individual

Pathways paper 2.0 and its implementation

„Working Paper the EU-CoE youth partnership, SALTO Training and Cooperation Resource Centre, European Youth Forum and Youth Directorates in EC and CoE (2011)

Purpose: •Update and re-focus the strategy as outlined in the first paper (2004)•Give the strategy for a better recognition of non-formal learning in youth activities and of youth work a new impetus

Content:•Characteristics and impact of non-formal learning•Stocktaking – the state of affairs at European and national level •10 elements for a renewed strategy

Pathways paper 2.0 and its implementation

10 elements for a renewed strategy

1) Develop a common understanding and a joint strategy in the

youth field and improve co-operation and communication

2) Make the role of youth organisations visible

3) Assure quality and training in non-formal education/learning

4) Increase knowledge about non-formal education/learning in

youth work

5) Develop existing tools further and make them accessible and

transferable

Pathways paper 2.0 and its implementation

6) Reinforce the political process at European level

7) Link youth to the lifelong learning strategy and vice versa

8) Involve stakeholders of the employment sector

9) Associate the social sector

10) Cooperate with other policy fields and with stakeholders of

civil society

Pathways paper 2.0 and its implementation

STATEMENT & PLAN OF ACTION by participants Challenges:•making the concept of 'youth work & non-formal learning/education better understood•keeping all dimensions of recognition in balance•risking formalisation of non-formal learning/education•assuring quality in youth work and in non-formal learning/education•maintaining and cultivating diversity•building knowledge•being dependent from different other sectors•creating partnerships

Pathways paper 2.0 and its implementation

STATEMENT & PLAN OF ACTION by participants

Actions:

• Sustaining a political process• Launching a promotional campaign• Fostering cooperation and partnerships• Gathering, creating and providing knowledge• Assuring quality• Developing and using tools for recognition• Providing resources and support

policies at European, national, regional and local level

in youth work & non-formal education/learning

in lifelong and lifewide learning

in partnership with other actorsin research and the knowledge area

Political context – Council of Europe

• First reference to recognition: April 1998 (Ministerial conference)

• Symposium on non formal learning (2000)

• Final Declaration of the Youth Ministers meeting (2002)

• Recommendation of the Committee of Ministers on promotion and recognition

of NFE/L (2003)

• European Portfolio for youth workers and youth leaders (2006)

• Key priority 2006-2008

• Agenda 2020

Political context – European Union

• White Paper ‘A New Impetus for European Youth’ (2001)

• European Youth Pact (Lisbon Strategy, 2005)

• Council Resolution on the recognition of the value of non formal and informal

learning (2006)

• 8 Key Competences for lifelong learning (2006)

• EU Strategy for Youth-Investing and Empowering (2009)

• Council Resolution on Youth Work (2010)

• EU 2020 Strategy

• Council Recommendation on the promotion and validation of non formal and

informal learning (2012)

Political context – European Union

• COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION on the validation of non-formal and informal

learning (26.11.2012)

“To ensure that by 2015 national systems for the validation of non-formal and

informal learning have been established providing the opportunity to all citizens

to have their knowledge, skills and competences validated, irrespective of the

contexts where the learning took place.”

“…four aspects of validation: the identification of learning outcomes, their

documentation, their assessment against agreed standards and finally their

certification…”

Youth in Action programme/SALTO T&C RC

• Youth in Action Programme of the EU (2007-2013)

• Youthpass in YiA since 2007

• The renewed European Training Strategy of the YiA programme (2011-2013)

• Youthpass for youth workers (2011-2013)

• Set of competences for trainers at European level (2011 – 2013)

Other related actions and processes

•Quality Assurance and quality charter (European Youth Forum)

•European Youth Work Convention 2010 in Ghent

•Symposia on Recognition of youth work and non-formal learning

•Expert Group on Recognition in the youth field

•Europass – further developments

Definition of youth work

…Youth work takes place in the extra curricular area, as well as through specific leisure time activities, and is based on non-formal and informal learning processes and on voluntary participation.

These activities and processes are self-managed, co-managed or managed under educational or pedagogical guidance by either professional or voluntary youth workers and youth leaders…

Council Resolution on youth workhttp://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/educ/117874.pdf

Definition of non-formal learning

Non-formal learning, understood as learning outside institutional contexts (out-of-school) is the key activity, but also the key competence of youth work. Non-formal learning process/education in youth work is often structured, based on learning objectives, learning time and specific learning support and it is intentional by the learner. It typically does not lead to certification, but in an increasing number of cases, certificates are delivered, leading to a better recognition of the individual learning outcome.

Definition of informal learning

Youth work activities also provide many informal learning opportunities, as young people learn while simply being active, being a volunteer or just being with their peers. They learn informally in daily life and leisure time just as they learn informally in school, at work and in family life, just learning by doing; it is typically not structured and not intentional and does not lead to certification.

Pathways paper 2.0

Quality of YP: support to the educational process

Youthpass Unfolded. Practical tips and hands-on methods for making the most of the Youthpass process

Youthpass in the EVS training cycle (now printed)

Supportive website

YP Guide:Translations into HR and SI completed

Quality of YP: support to recognition

Handbook:Unlocking Doors to Recognition

Youthpass and recognition essays

•Recognition of non-formal learning in Europe. Challenges and opportunities

•Youthpass and Human Resource Development. The missing link towards employability

•Recognition needs zero stage. Convincing ourselves

•The Youthpass process and Learning to Learn. Some ideas for practitioners.

Further essays in 2013

YP information: tools• The YP website, incl YP Guide

• Youthpass video part 1 and 2

• Youthpass and recognition newsletter– So far 4 issues, 2175 recipients

• Simple leaflets „Youthpass up to date“

• Promotion of publications of others, e.g. „Youthpass for absolute beginners“ (NA NO)

• Articles, e.g. in Coyote Nr 18 and publication of the learning mobility platform (Youthpass as support for self-directed and transformative learning)

• Twitter/Facebook/SALTO web

• Further priorities by SALTO:– Examples and argumentation

for the impact it has made– Simple, „easy-to-read“

information about the YP tool and process

– Sharing of good practices

29

Thank you for your attention!

Contact

Kristiina Pernits via [email protected] or Rita Bergstein via [email protected]