Between insecurity and hope : reflections on youth work with young refugees

Abstract

In 2016, under the objectives of social inclusion and youth work recognition, the EU–Council of Europe youth partnership took inclusion, rights and participation of young refugees as a transversal theme in its work programme and began to explore more closely the situation of young refugees and what role youth work can play in their lives. This focus was an initial response to the increasing negative portrayal in the media of refugees (particularly young male refugees, representing the majority of those arriving in western Europe, mostly through Turkey), and the increased polarisation of society towards the role, place and rights of those young refugees upon arrival or in transit across Europe. The EU–Council of Europe youth partnership launched a series of research initiatives and organised workshops on the inclusion and participation of young refugees in society and the specific role youth work plays. The initiatives involved a mix of stakeholders, including young refugees, policy makers, researchers, NGOs working on refugee rights and integration, and youth work practitioners, aiming to bring evidence on the realities of young refugees, the realities of youth workers and how youth work makes a contribution to the lives of young refugees. [Excerpt from the Preface by Tanya Basarab].