YOCOMO - Networking and Advocating knowledge

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

Knowledge about structures, priorities and processes in youth policy is needed in order to network and advocate. + -

For example, having knowledge on:

youth policy and youth work in one’s own context (community, region, etc.)
youth rights
mobility-related regulations regarding young people
the structures and systems that favour more solidarity for/with all

Knowing about the needs of young people helps youth workers to understand how to support solidarity. + -

To do so, it is helpful for youth workers to know about:

the socio-political and economic background and needs of the young people and the community
advocacy (representing the interests of others) approaches and methods in a youth work context
the importance of global solidarity
how structural and systemic obstacles can limit people’s possibility to act in solidarity
the potential and limitations of online solidarity and its polarities

Tools and media are useful channels for networking and advocating. + -

Thus, for youth workers, it is important to know about

media and promotion mechanisms with regard to youth work generally, as well as rules and regulations, including copyright
digital tools for networking and collaboration, and more inclusive approaches

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