Globallove Youth Trust (Wales, UK) & Center for Intercultural Dialogue (MK) – Youth in Action Programme: Action 3.1
Youth Participation & Youth in Poverty A Facilitation Handbook Kevin Work, Aziz Choudhury, Bob Smeets, Suhaib Ahmed, Andy Shammo & Roman Mpire
Youth in Poverty List of obstacles that can affect youth participation of Youth in Poverty: 1. Basic human needs (shelter, food and security): Without basic needs of proper shelter, food and security, youth would find it difficult to participate in any activity outside retaining the basic needs of life. See Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow's_hierarchy_of_needs) 2. Transportation: the costs, availability and quality of transport are issues facing youth. 3. Financial Difficulties: lack of consistent revenue to the individuals and to the communities in which they live i. Individual level: without enough financial ability, individuals cannot spend their time participating when they could be working to make money ii. Community level: when a community lacks equitable funding for programs and community wellness opportunities, it makes it very difficult for individuals to participate.
4. Lack of Education: puts them at a disadvantage because the youth are unable to access the relative services. 5. Cultural Differences/Influences: i. The young people may be held back by their varied upbringing which could cause a form of segregation ii. With different cultures and belief systems, the individual may be less inclined to participate in activities which may be ‘culturally different’
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“ACTive YOUth!!!” 16 -23 of June 2013 Mavrovo, Macedonia Youth in action Programme: Action 3.1 Seminar
6. Unstable Households: the domestic background of the individual can affect their eagerness to get involved in the community; for example, the influence of parents may lead to a lack of participate. 7. Risk of Criminal Behaviour: in areas of poverty youth are more prone to the opportunity for criminal activities. Also, financial/social reasoning’s may also force the youth to become involved in the wrong circles and thereby lead to a life of dangerous situations. 8. Means of Communication: without any money for communication means, the youth will become isolated from the rest of the community. 9. Health: i. Physical: If an individual lacks physical health, they will be less likely to participate. ii. Psychological Hindrances (Self Esteem, Mental Issues) If there is an issue of low self-esteem or any other mental instabilities, it would be difficult to engage the youth to participate.
10. Substance Abuse: Alcohol, Drugs, etc.
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“ACTive YOUth!!!” 16 -23 of June 2013 Mavrovo, Macedonia Youth in action Programme: Action 3.1 Seminar
List of preconditions that encourage your participation: 1. Motivation/Desire for change: through participation, the youth can
create the chance for an improved life. Also, they would have the opportunity to follow their passions, hobbies, dreams. 2. Opportunity to have a voice: The youth would have the ability to share their concerns with a collective group of like-minded individuals to impact the decision making process. 3. Positive Reinforcement: In order to give the youth insight and courage, there needs to be real life examples which they can relate to. In this way, we can show them with a possible positive reality for their future. Locals which faced similar issues as the youths and achieved positive outcomes through their lifestyles could be a significant impact on the participation of the youth. 4. Financial Support: The youth would be encouraged to be involved in areas in which they would not have entered in the past. By funding opportunities to get cheap/free transport/facilities, it could make a significant difference on youth participation.
5. Stable Shelter/day centre: If the individuals are provided something by
society to better their lives, those individuals would be more prone to give back to the society which helped them. Shelter: By offering the opportunity to have a safe and consistent housing situation, the youth would have more time/thought to participate in activities. Day Center: It would offer the youth the space/opportunity to openly participate/develop themselves without being held back by the other sectors of the society. 6. Trustful Leadership: If the youth had a mentor/leader which they not only trust but also admire, the youth would be more likely to follow the lead of that individual to participate more frequently. th
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“ACTive YOUth!!!� 16 -23 of June 2013 Mavrovo, Macedonia Youth in action Programme: Action 3.1 Seminar
List of solutions for overcoming obstacles and challenges to participation: 1. Tools:
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Creating a consistent schedule for youth Create an opportunity for self-reliant transportation Work programs Motivation speakers Multilingual youth workers Safe and Consistent Shelter Also, encourage the development of a day centre Have health based workshops Part time mental-health service worker to visit the centre Open forums for discussion Tips: Foster an understanding of cultural differences Provide basic-prepaid cell phones for those in need (for security issues) Tricks: Provide bus passes (if available) Communication: Encourage a continuous dialogue Methods: Provide stable and positive youth leaders Involve parents to encourage education Conversation Classes Youth led activities Sport based interaction/development Hold public events to encourage awareness and dialogue Outreach-services for those without transportation Opportunity to hold events to encourage personal development
Authors: Kevin Work (USA & Macedonia), Aziz Choudhury (UK), Bob Smeets (Netherlands), Suhaib Ahmed (UK), Andy Shammo (Netherlands) and Roman Mpire (Netherlands)
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“ACTive YOUth!!!” 16 -23 of June 2013 Mavrovo, Macedonia Youth in action Programme: Action 3.1 Seminar