ID Talks: Social Justice

This series of ID Talks is dedicated to social justice and youth work. They reflect on humanistic theories, discuss the type of society we live now and what kind of reality we want to create for our common future. 

Introduction

In autumn 2025, the ID Talks will look into the dynamics between structural change and individual integration/inclusion. While focusing on individual needs is necessary, a more significant focus should be on developing inclusive, diversity-sensitive structures that eliminate barriers from the beginning. Thus, we will explore the linkages between addressing individual needs and fostering structural changes.

The current Inclusion and Diversity Strategy for Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps is based on an equitable approach, but the question is how we can make this equitable approach - which is “corrective” in its nature and starts from barriers - evolve towards an approach where the programmes are designed in a barrier-free wayfrom the start? 

Together with you, we want to reflect on the relation between equity and just societies and discuss whether equitable approaches can help to create just societies, and if so - what is the path to follow. 

The “ID Talks” are a series of 5 online workshops on 5 major topics that promote inclusion & diversity (ID) and quality youth work. They feature youth workers, professionals and volunteers from all over the world to share insights, research findings, food for thought, good practices or inspirational stories. They will guide you through the pressing matters and challenges affecting Inclusion and Diversity and inspire you to make your programmes and organisations more inclusive, embrace human differences, look ahead and picture how the future of youth work and Inclusion and Diversity might be. 

Each workshop begins with an input from guest speakers. Afterwards, you have the opportunity to engage in the discussion, ask questions and share about your own realities and experiences.

When? 

Every other Wednesday at 13h-14h30 CET, from 3 September until 29 October 2025. Feel free to have your lunch while attending.

• 3 September (13h CET) > ID Talks Social Justice and Being Human: What does it mean to be human, who is included and who is excluded? What is social justice? How is the world - our environment, technology etc. - shaping today’s young people?  Let’s look into some modern humanist ideals and theories, debate on societal dilemmas and their implications for youth work practice. Guest speaker: Maria Pisani, Malta 
• 17 September (13h CET) > ID Talks Social Justice and Youth Work: How does social justice translate to youth work? What are the different models to ensure access and equity in youth work? Let’s talk about the focus of youth work as a value-based profession - should it be about societal change or individual integration? We will examine youth work on the crossroads of individual needs and structural changes. Guest speaker: Silvia Volpi, Italy
• 1 October (13h CET) > ID Talks Social Justice and Human Rights: How are human rights regarded in today’s society? Are there any new concepts and definitions, and how do they reflect the reality of human rights today? What is the role of youth work in promoting, advocating and defining human rights? Let’s see how young people are challenging the existing structures, advocating for new issues and breaking existing patterns. Guest speaker: Neringa Tumėnaitė, the UK
• 15 October (13h CET) > ID Talks Social Justice and Activism: What is (youth) activism and what forms can it take? Why do young people engage in activism and what issues are they ready to “fight for”? Should youth work be “radical” and “political”? Let’s discuss the links between activism and youth work and see how activism contributes to creation of a just society. Guest speaker: Eimear Manning, Ireland
• 29 October (13h CET) > ID Talks Social Justice and Education: What is the role of (non-formal) education in actively countering injustice and helping to build inclusive democracy for the benefit of all? What kind of tools and resources are needed? Let’s discover examples of social justice education and peace education cases, and see how they are contextualised and targeted at young people with fewer opportunities. Guest speaker: Maria Sakarias, Estonia

For whom?

For you: youth workers, youth leaders, professionals and volunteers involved in inclusion and diversity in the EU youth programmes, as well as all those interested in youth work and inclusion & diversity topics.

Why should you join?

• Get food for thought and learn from inspirational ID stories.
• Learn about ID topics from the youth work sector and beyond.
• Get information, inspiration and methods to help the youth sector address ID.
• Put some more quality in your (international) youth work.
• Identify and learn how to tackle existing and future challenges within ID.

How to register?

Fill in and submit the registration here! 

IMPORTANT NOTE: although there is a deadline, it's always possible to register at any time for the sessions that will still take place.

All registered participants will receive a link to the Zoom meeting a week before each session takes place.

For more info, check here!