The National Youth Agency (England), in collaboration with national youth work partners in the UK countries of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat, is hosting the 4th Commonwealth Youth Work Conference at Reading University, UK, from 10 – 12 July 2023.
The event will be streamed online and there are a limited number of in-person attendees.
The conference is open to anyone with an interest in youth work across the Commonwealth and is of particular interest to youth workers, academics, policy makers and practitioners.
Entitled The Power of Youth Work: Forging a sustainable and peaceful common future, the conference will explore how youth work theory and practice supports the personal, social and educational development of young people worldwide, using educational processes as well as care and leisure approaches. It will consider how youth workers can learn, innovate and build networks to grow youth work across the globe.
This year’s event is a significant contribution to marking the 2023 Commonwealth Year of Youth and the 50th anniversary of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. The UK Government, through the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, has provided financial support.
Virtual attendance is free, and you will be able to join the majority of sessions including keynote presentations and breakout sessions. You will also be able to access sessions online after they have ended.
Registration
To register your interest to join the proceedings virtually, please visit the conference website – The 2023 Commonwealth Conference on Youth Work – NYA
The registration form can be accessed directly here:
https://power-of-youth-work.vfairs.com/en/registration-form
About the Conference
The Essential role of youth work
A key aim of the conference is to influence decision-makers to appreciate the essential role of youth work across the Commonwealth.
The event will bring together youth workers, academics, and policymakers from across the 56 Commonwealth countries to celebrate youth work, share best practices and learn from one another.
Practitioners working within the youth work sector who attend the Conference will be inspired, equipped, and empowered to continue their vital work with young people to building a better, more peaceful world.
The conference will provide a chance to look at the issues facing the youth work sector today, considering the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as economic and environmental challenges.
The Five Theme Focus
The conference will be focused on five themes:
- The celebration and promotion of Youth Work,
- Collaboration- locally, nationally and internationally,
- Collectivism and solidarity across geographies,
- Youth work’s role in the encouragement and development of peace, and the
- Development of appropriate training support and opportunities for learning.
For more information please visit the conference website or email commonwealth@nya.org.uk.
Keynote Speakers
Keynote speakers (see website for full details) will celebrate and share the diversity of youth work innovation from around the Commonwealth.
Speakers include: Professor Momodou Sallah, Professor of Teaching and Learning at De Montfort University (opening plenary on the contexts and challenges for youth work around the world); special address from the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC (Year of Youth activities to renew and strengthen youth work, engagement and empowerment); Ministers of Youth; youth work policy makers and practitioners.
“This year’s conference coincides with 50 years of the Youth Programme at the Commonwealth Secretariat and 2023 is being celebrated as the Year of the Youth. We see young people as strong assets to ensure a better future for the planet and they deserve comprehensive support to help them reach their full potential. We are therefore happy to partner with the NYA to highlight the transformative power of youth work.” Layne Robinson, Commonwealth Secretariat