The Youth Department of the Council of Europe, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, is hosting a seminar titled ‘COMING OF AGE DURING WAR. YOUTH WORK IN UKRAINE TODAY. HOW CAN EUROPEAN YOUTH POLICY ADAPT?’ This seminar is scheduled to take place from 30 September to 4 October 2024 at the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg. The aim of this seminar is to address the challenges faced by young people in Ukraine who are coming of age in the midst of war and explore how European youth policy can be adapted to support them.
The seminar will bring together up to 30 professionals and volunteers working with young people in Ukraine. The focus will be on developing a human rights-based approach to youth work to ensure the well-being of young people affected by war. The outcomes of this seminar will be shared at the 4th European Youth Work Convention in May 2025 and the Conference of Ministers responsible for Youth in October 2025.
The objectives of the seminar include analyzing the challenges and needs of young people in war conditions, mapping out human rights-based youth work practices, familiarizing stakeholders with Council of Europe instruments, exploring the role of youth policies in Europe, and developing recommendations for sustaining and improving youth work in the context of war.
The seminar is open to youth workers, representatives of youth centers, youth policy makers in Ukraine, and practitioners with experience in working with young people affected by war from other Council of Europe member states. The Council of Europe encourages applications from all candidates regardless of gender, disability, marital status, race, religion, or sexual orientation.
Practical information about the seminar includes the dates, venue, deadline for applications, and the online application process. Interested participants are required to register on the applications website before submitting their application.
In conclusion, the seminar ‘COMING OF AGE DURING WAR’ aims to address the specific challenges faced by young people in Ukraine and explore how European youth policy can be adapted to support them. By bringing together professionals and volunteers in the youth sector, the seminar seeks to develop innovative solutions and recommendations for improving youth work in the context of war. Participants are encouraged to apply and contribute to this important discussion on youth well-being in times of conflict.