Formal and non-formal education of Youth workers

Project summary This project directly reacts to current trends in youth workers’ education promoting cross-sector cooperation between non-formal and formal education. The growing need for qualified youth workers on one hand, as well as the constant need of universities to update their education programmes in line with the new needs of our societies imply possibilities of mutual enrichment and fruitful cooperation between Higher Education and other institutions (Universities, Teacher Colleges) and institutions promoting youth work across Europe. This project is based on an international exchange of the good practice, achievements and challenges of the formal – non formal cooperation in the training of youth workers. The specific aim of this seminar is to bring together youth workers and Higher education / Universities practitioners in order to map and analyse current developments in youth work curricula, policy and practice in international youth work and intercultural competence and to enhance co-operation between formal and non-formal education sectors. It can serve as a kick-off meeting for exploring and developing further opportunities for cooperation of project partners interested in linking non-formal and formal Higher education. Project objectives - To map and analyse approaches to education of youth workers in HE and other sectors across the countries involved - To share experiences of good practice in promoting international youth work and intercultural competence within youth work education - To facilitate reflection on quality in youth work education and youth work key competences - To create links between educational institutions interested in providing youth worker courses and European programmes (particularly Erasmus+), European policy, and the European Youth Strategy - To create a platform of intercultural cooperation between HE and youth work institutions aiming at creating joint future projects within KA 2 Strategic partnership Participant profile - Youth workers with experience in non-formal education interested in creating connections between formal and non-formal education We will be happy to welcome representatives of youth work institutions and councils, youth work education experts and youth trainers with at least two years of experience in the field -University teachers, course co-ordinators, post-graduate students and other staff members of higher education institutions with at least two years of experience working on implementing or interested in implementing education programmes for youth and community work across Europe. Methods The programme will be composed of a variety of different non-formal educational methods including team-building activities, small group work, various discussion formats, individual and group presentations, icebreakers, best practice sharing and some multimedia inputs/presentations. The process of sharing experience and expertise of participants will be facilitated in a participatory and inclusive way. Working language The working language of this seminar will be English. Facilitators Max Fras - facilitator Max is a trainer and facilitator in non-formal education and international youth work, with a background in university teaching and civil society development in the EU, Eastern European and Balkan countries. He is a member of the Council of Europe Pool of Trainers as well as the UK Erasmus+ National Agency Trainers’ Pool. Tatiana Cárová - facilitator Tatiana is a Slovak Erasmus+ National Agency trainer and project coordinator who has a rich professional background in Slovak formal and non-formal education as well as in international youth work. She currently works as an adult trainer and project manager in an NGO supporting civil activism, participatory education and democratic dialogue.