YOCOMO - Networking and advocating behaviours

Networking and advocating

…involves developing and managing partnerships with other relevant actors. Youth work does not happen in isolation from the rest of the world. Youth workers facilitate networking with others (in their community and outside it) and advocate for the value of youth work. They are conscious about (political) values and beliefs at play in youth work and support young people in developing a capacity for independent political thought.

The single behaviours are summarised in different headlines that illustrate what “networking and advocating” means for youth workers behaviour-wise. The “cluster headlines” do not name behaviours as such; these can be found through clicking on the lists.

Advocating and networking benefit from youth workers taking a pro-active role and approach. + -

Thus, they:

support partnerships with other actors
network with other actors and organisations/structures in line with the interest of the young people
work on the political dimension of networking, making steps towards concrete actions
use social relationships as a resource towards overcoming structural and systemic obstacles
transfer and share knowledge of youth and social rights and related formal regulations with potential partners and the young people

Youth workers should be willing to confront scepticism and resistances to cooperation and show inspiring conviction. + -

Thus, they can:

overcome resistance to new partnerships by assessing their potential
promote and explain the (learning) potential of international mobility experiences0

Youth workers bring to the surface and discuss questions around power, privilege and solidarity. + -

Youth workers, therefore:

encourage equity in relationships
address power relations (focussing on the interests of the young people)
advocate for digital rights, closing the digital divide and the positive impact of digitalisation on societies
role-model and stimulate self-reflection and discussion around privilege in society and how to use personal privileges for acting in solidarity

Media and digital tools offer opportunities for advocacy and networking. It is important to be mindful of how they are used. + -

It is helpful for youth workers to:

deal with and use media in a careful manner, ensuring the safety and rights of young people and other stakeholders
use digital media and tools proficiently to spread and disseminate positive and supportive messages and as platforms to act in solidarity

← all competence areas