The ongoing challenges of the global pandemic can be all encompassing and sometimes overwhelming – particularly for young people whose prospects and plans have been severely disrupted.
A blog by Layne Robinson, Head of Commonwealth Secretariat’s Social Policy Division
The ongoing challenges of the global pandemic can be all encompassing and sometimes overwhelming – particularly for young people whose prospects and plans have been severely disrupted.
But this spot of darkness that has lingered over our world in the last year and some has been matched with brilliant points of light. Not only did our world become more resilient and creative, but our heroes – doctors, nurses, cleaners, and so many others whose efforts for many years had gone unnoticed – were finally recognised and celebrated.
This should strike a chord with young people, particularly those whose lives have been touched by a youth worker. Whether it is the person who gave them advice when they did not know what to do, who provided training when they needed to hone their skills, who advocated and fought for their rights, who encouraged them when they wanted to give up, or who was simply there to listen when they felt overwhelmed.
One of the Commonwealth Youth Programme’s commitments is to recognise and support the efforts of these unsung heroes, through our Commonwealth Alliance of Youth Work Association (CAWYA) and youth work training and education initiatives.
We understand that youth workers are important in helping countries achieve youth empowerment and other aspects of the Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore, to kick off this year’s Youth Work Week, which is being held under the theme ‘Champions of Youth Work’, we wanted to capture the perspectives of some of our youth work heroes. So, we posed a question: “Why is youth work critical to the achievements of the Sustainable Development Goals?”
This is what members of CAWYA had to say:
Odayne Haughton, Jamaica
As a youth worker, who is also working within the technology sector, I have the chance to use my specialist expertise to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, the ICT sector has the unique potential to enable other industrial sectors to move towards a low-carbon economy – a move that is central to meeting Goal 13, which focusses on combatting climate change and its impacts.
Jane Zintl, New Zealand
I believe out of all the support professions, Youth Work is the one that makes the biggest positive difference in the lives of young people and their families, who really are the heart of the SDG’s. Aotearoa/New Zealand honours, celebrates and champion youth workers who journey with young people through the highs and lows of life.
Dr. John Tan, Singapore
In the face of the ongoing pandemic throwing up such unprecedented inequalities and hardships the globe over, the work of youth workers becomes ever more relevant, particularly regarding achieving the SDGs. Youth workers are needed to reach out to young people and to mitigate the effects of the mental, emotional, physiological, social, and economic fallouts. They have their work cut out for them as they attempt to prevent such permanent scarring and help avert a lost generation.
Michael A. Asudi, Kenya
SDGs are anchored on the 5P themes of People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnerships, as pillars for delivering the 17 goals. Youth Work is critical in the achievement of SDGs because it aims to empower young people and facilitate experiential learning. I believe the sustainability agenda is best taught through interactions and daily actions in informal and non-formal learning set ups- the core approaches of youth work. Then, when youth are empowered, they can foster intergenerational accountability towards utilisation of resources within sustainability principles.
Help us celebrate Youth Work Week 2021! Take a look at our upcoming events and initiatives and learn how you can take part:
Nominate a youth work champion.
- Wednesday, November 3rd - Emerging Issues in Youth Work Conference
- Thursday, November 4th - Championing Youth Work on a Global Platform
- Saturday, November 6th - Ocean in a Drop
For more information and sessions check out the National Youth Agency and CAYWA’s websites.
