1. Youth participation in FlandersIntroduction and workshop Young Russian Leaders 2 Brussels 15 September 2010

2. Program Welcome! Introduction Flemish local youth policy Local youth participation What is Karuur? Workshop

4. Constitutional monarchy

5. 3 official languages

6. Dutch

7. French

8. German

9. Federal state structure

10. 3 regions

11. 3 communities

12. Complicated!

13. Flanders

15. … and present 7 changes in the local youth legislation In 2008: About 20 million euro Out of 308, about 300 Flemish municipalities are funded Youth policy plan for 3 years Youth council Throughout the local youth policy development, youth participation is imperative

17. Youth work policy

18. Youth policy

19. Financial overview

20. Participation

21. Young people

22. Youth organisations

23. Experts

24. Youth council

25. Advice

27. Structure General assembly Advices and decisions take their final form Exchange of information, experience Networking Bureau Preparation of advices and agenda of GA Working groups

28. Main tasks Advice to city council Obligated: youth policy plan Own initiative: anything concerning children and young people Local youth policy (plan): Cooperate, write, advice Follow-up, evaluation Activities Representation

29. Impact Youth policy plan -> youth council! Advice on anything concerning youth Negative advice: no real implications Advice ignored? City council must motivate when advice is not followed Objection: minister for youth Action! Media, lobby, protest…

33. Consequences Stronger youth policy Youth workers, young people, civil servants and politicians work together (support for policy) Involved young people Learning process Democratic principles, citizenship Knowledge Structure of local policy and the decision-making process

34. Reality bites Not every youth council is very active or involved Every 2 or 3 years different youth council Agenda: often not very sexy, boring Lack of knowledge Politicians are ‘afraid’ of youth councils Pain in the… -> ignorance But, strong youth councils can be a strong support for the local policy (honesty)

35. Other forms of youth participation City councils for children Participation sessions Playgrounds School environment Infrastructure Method? Survey Conversations Active

36. Support by Karuur Helpdesk: questions Youth council members Civil servants City council members Other youth organisations

38. Civil servants

39. About:

40. The basics of youth councils

41. Giving advice

43. Decreasingnumber of members

44. Decreasing interest

45. Crisis situation

47. Workshop (2) 2 issues In the town where you live, young people have no place to go. They can just stay at home or hang around on the street or in the park. You want to convince the local government of the need of a youth club. Or at least, a place where young people can come together to talk, play games, relax… Unemployment rates among young people are rather high. One of their problems is that they don’t find enough information on employment or special education or training for specific jobs. You try to convince the government of the necessity of a local information point where young people can get some orientation towards employment.

48. Workshop (3) Make up an action plan! How are you going to try to influence the governmental organisation or body? Only one action moment

49. Tips & tricks (1) Think! The action plan must fit the purpose What is the goal? Which result would be satisfactory? Message Keep it simple Positive action, don’t get agressive Limit the message to 3 main items Make sure the entire action group knows the exact message

50. Tips & tricks (2) Style Be creative, a bit funny, surprising… Positive Personal Don’t do anything illegal Press Governmental bodies and their image Evaluate Did we reach our goal?

51. Contact us! Karuur vzw Sainctelettesquare 19 1000 Brussels +32 2 210 91 60 info@karuur.be +32 2 210 91 61 katrien.vanhove@karuur.be