A landmark gathering of youth workers, academics and policy makers in Brussels to shape the future of youth work across Europe.
The 2nd European Youth Work Convention (EYWC 2015) brought together over 500 representatives from youth organisations, government bodies, research institutions and civil society from across the Council of Europe member states. Held in Brussels in April 2015, it formed part of the broader European agenda for youth work.
The Convention addressed the role of non-formal education, the place of young people in democratic life, and the recognition of youth work as a professional field of practice. Its outcomes directly informed subsequent Council of Europe guidelines on youth policy.
Recognising learning outside the classroom as a driver of civic participation and employability for young Europeans.
Exploring how youth work strengthens young people's engagement in democratic processes and community life.
Mapping the landscape of youth work across 47 Council of Europe member states to inform coherent policy development.
Advancing the professionalisation of youth work, from training standards to cross-border qualification frameworks.
The Convention produced a declaration calling on governments across Europe to invest in quality youth work, support intercultural dialogue, and embed youth rights principles in national legislation. The declaration drew on the European Convention on Human Rights and Council of Europe youth policy instruments.
Delegates agreed that youth work, when grounded in human rights principles, plays an essential role in preventing social exclusion and radicalisation among young people.
Human rights in youth policy: Youth workers and advocates interested in the legal dimension of youth rights may find it helpful to consult resources on the European Convention on Human Rights and youth protection.
This site serves as an archival resource for participants, researchers and policy makers who were involved in the 2015 Convention or who work in the field of European youth policy. The materials and discussions from EYWC 2015 continue to inform current debates on youth rights, non-formal education and the professionalisation of youth work.