Recognising youth work's civic influence on a global scale

For this year’s Policy Convention on 28 August, we welcome elected representatives, and youth workers from Scotland, Finland, Nigeria, India, and many more as we build the global movement for progressive policies with youth work at its core. Here, our Policy and Research Manager and Chair of this year's Convention Kevin K. offers his overview of the event.

Sign up for our event here. Free for YouthLink Scotland members and ￡45 for non-members.

We are delighted that this year’s Policy Convention is international in flavour and focuses on Youth Work and its Role in Civic Engagement. It is the fourth policy convention in as many years, following “A Right to Youth Work” in 2021, “Youth Work is Human Rights Work” in 2022, and “A Right to a Critical Education and the Role of Youth Work” in 2023.

Youth work and civic engagement

Youth workers educate in partnership with young people about civic responsibilities, rights, and the importance of participation in democratic processes. They provide information on how government works, the significance of voting, and ways to get involved in community issues.

Practitioners equip young people with the skills needed for civic engagement, such as critical thinking, public speaking, leadership, and organisational skills. These competencies enable young individuals to effectively participate in civic life and advocate for their best interests and those of their communities.

Through youth work, young people create networks and relationships, fostering trust, which are essential components of engaging with and building social capital. These networks enhance collective action, unite communities, further promote civic engagement and ignite causes driven by young people.

Youth workers in local authority and third-sector settings often encourage young people to get involved in political processes by voting, campaigning, or facilitating representation in regional and national politics. This involvement helps to ensure that the perspectives and needs of young people are represented in political arenas.

Youth workers support young people in advocacy and activism efforts. They help them to identify issues they are passionate about, develop campaigns, and engage in activism to drive social change.

Learning from the Policy Convention

The shared learning and insights from the policy convention will help keep us informed and responsive to the sector’s temperature on critical issues affecting them. It helps complement sector-led policy responses, informs position statements and briefings on relevant policy consultations, and builds the movement to protect, resource, and grow youth work services across Scotland.

This year, we welcome policy professionals, elected representatives, and youth workers from Scotland, Finland, Nigeria, India, and many more:

• Angus Robertson MSP, The Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture;
• Martin Whitfield , Labour MSP for South Scotland Region, Scottish Labour Party Business Manager and Shadow Spokesperson for Children, Young People & Lifelong Learning;
• From Nigeria: Olalekan Oshunkoya , Executive Director of Citizen Commons International , and Benita N. Ezumezu , Programme Lead for Citizen Commons;
• From India: Ashraf Patel , Co-founder, Pravah and ComMutiny – the youth collective, and Kanika Sinha , Lead Convenor for ComMutiny, Every youth a Jagrik, Every Space Nurturing Jagriks;
• From Finland: Children of the Station, Jessica Hakala and Heikki Turkka ;
• Sarah McDermot, Development Manager at Together (Scottish Alliance for Children's Rights) ;
• Zahra Hedges , Chief Executive of Winning Scotland , Planet Youth Scotland;
• Rosy Burgess , Head of Participation and Programmes at Scottish Youth Parliament .

We hope you will join us on the day as we work to?maintain and advance international opportunities and relationships through our existing groupings and create new and vital connections as we build the global movement for progressive policies with youth work at its core.