Jelena reports: Six exciting takeaways from Finnish youth work

1. Youth participation is taken very seriously in Finland: Finnish youth work is currently contributing to a new law that is intended to anchor the principle of inter-generational equality: No political decision should be made without the involvement of young people.
2. Communal networking is exceptional in Finland. Open youth work is working in conjunction with the schools, military and civil service to intercept young people early, for example, if they drop out of school, and to support them in re-entering and dealing with their problems.
3. Cultural youth work is an important element. Young people from all over the country can access the facilities, not only free of charge, but also with the support of professionals. Youth centres also work with well-known artists.
4. There is a youth Wiki that was published at the end of 2017 – an online database, where youth laws, national structures and action points for youth work in European countries, including Finland, are available.
5. It is essential that those who are interested in digital youth work and how the Finns deal with this challenge should look at the website www.verke.org. Verke is the national competence centre for digital youth work in Finland. Their vision is to give all those who work with young people the opportunity to use digital media and technology as part of their work and to promote the welfare, inclusion and equality of young people via digital youth work. Publications can be found on the platform in English, and there is a guide, a book and a podcast.
6. The long-term objective of the Finnish government is to develop youth work alongside school policy, to become a second pillar to promote active citizenship for young people. The government is being led by the principle that young people should not be viewed in problem categories but as the future for the country, which should be fostered in every respect.

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