Do it in Youth Work or Digital Youth Work
The main objective of the training programme that took place in Sibenik between 05-08 July 2022 was to train youth workers and empower them with methods and tools that are necessary for the development of digital competences of young people.
1.Non-formal education | 2.Digitisation of knowledge | 3.Strategies for developing digital work with youth | 4. Why STEM education is important
Defining the Digital Youth Work
Digital work for young people means proactively using or addressing digital media and technology in youth work. Digital youth work is not a youth work method – digital youth work can be included in any youth work environment (open youth work, youth information and counselling, youth centres, etc.). Digital youth work has the same objectives as youth work in general, and the use of digital media and technology in youth work should always support these objectives.
Digital work for young people can take place in face-to-face situations as well as in online environments – or a combination of the two. Digital media and technology can be either a tool, activity or content at work for young people. Digital youth work is based on the same ethics, values and principles as youth work. In this context, youth workers refer to both paid and volunteer youth workers.
Objective: to build capacity to provide digital jobs for young people at local, national, regional and European level.
Examples of innovative practices to provide digital jobs for young people and to upgrade the digital skills of youth workers include:
- Use of social media to share information
- Online youth counselling
- Supporting digital literacy
- Enabling participation with digital tools
- Supporting cultural youth online
- Supporting the development of technological skills
- Use of digital games in young people’s work
Key pillars of Digital Youth Work
The Pillar of Democracy: empowering young people to become active citizens
The pedagogical pillar: enhancing young people’s development and supporting their competences
The Public Health Pillar: focusing on supporting healthy lifestyles
The pillar of culture: focusing on the aesthetic needs of young people, helping them to find ways to express themselves
The social policy pillar: helping to prevent social problems
Activities of the educational programme
During this training programme, we had the opportunity to learn more about digital work for young people, STEM education and how to use different tools such as LEGO and 3D printing.
We had the opportunity to try out some digital tools whose use supports the introduction of technology in the practical applications of youth work and to discuss digital security, privacy, fake news, digital literacy, creativity, communication and the role of youth workers in the effort to enhance young people’s digital competences.
Our participation in this project is the beginning of the use and promotion of technology in the communication and training practices of our volunteers and to ensure equal participation of all in social events.
You can explore some of the digital tools we have seen in the links below:
