This program is designed to introduce you to a range of different approaches to working with young people. You may already have experience of youth work. If so, then you have been working in a wide-ranging and complex field. However, you may have experience of only one type of youth work practice. We have designed this program so that you can get a clear understanding of several of the key practices in youth work. This will enable you to develop your insight and skill by allowing you to draw on a rich frame of reference.

Program Benefits

When you successfully complete this program, you should be able to:

• Define Youth Development concept
• Briefly describe, in your own words, the history and position of youth development work in your country
• Delineate the professional role of the youth worker
• Explain the important factors that have affected youth development work and that influence current trends
• Begin working effectively with young people and adults in enabling them to improve the quality of their lives
• Select from a range of different approaches to youth development work those that are most appropriate to specific circumstances.

Who Should Attend?

• Youth program coordinators.
• Young leaders
• Youth workers in government departments, corporates, and NGOs
• School and University teachers
• Professionals responsible for policy formulation and strategy development in youth-focused organizations

Program Outline

Day 1

Youth Development

• What is Youth development? and how does it influence youth work?
• Youth Development theories and practices
• Interactionist perspective - Functional Perspective Youth Development Values Enabling - Empowering

Day 2

Youth Development Work: History and Traditions

• Youth development work in families and communities
• Youth work as social and leisure provision
• Out of school education Youth work for national development
• Youth welfare work

Day 3

Youth Development Work: Models and Approaches

• Treatment Model
• Reform Model
• Advocacy Model
• Conscientisation Model
• Youth Development Practices

Day 4

Youth Worker: Roles and Methods

• Working face to face with young people in a variety of settings
• Managing and supporting other paid and volunteer workers
• Formulating and developing community policies for governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs)