Conclusions and recommendations
Encouraging UK-German Youth Exchanges
Skill building and support offers for youth workers It is necessary to build competences and confidence of youth workers to run UK-German youth exchanges. This includes supporting the development of youth worker’s intercultural skills and their ability to undertake the practical aspects of youth exchanges. Stimulating support and interest from youth work managers may also be needed.
19. Develop youth worker exchanges
Training alongside colleagues from opposite countries provides the opportunity to develop competences, share practice and identify new partners for youth exchanges. Increasing contact and collaboration between youth workers can stimulate new exchanges and co-operations. Youth worker exchanges can also provide a valuable opportunity for a youth worker to have their first taste of international work, without the responsibilities of supporting young people. 20. Develop a suite of best practice resources and practical tools for organising UK- German youth exchanges A practical handbook or similar providing worked examples of the preparation required for youth exchanges (e.g., template risk assessments, letters to parents, process for setting up emergency contacts). Such a resource could also be used to provide case studies and examples of practice as well as identifying how youth exchanges contribute to policy objectives and youth work outcomes. This would help give youth workers the practical tools they need to begin planning their first exchange.
To achieve this there is a desire to:
17. Enhance training for the youth sector in both countries on delivery of youth exchanges Training which is specific to the needs of youth workers is desired. This may include dedicated national or regional training courses. It may also include training on international work delivered within existing youth worker qualifications (e.g., modules within youth work degrees). Alongside a core focus on intercultural learning and the practical aspects of youth exchanges, training on working with young people in marginalised situations and with additional needs whilst on exchanges may be beneficial. Training should make use of existing recognition and qualification systems within both countries. 18. Develop a bilateral network of youth workers focused on UK-German youth exchanges Peer-to-peer learning and networking can enable the development of exchange partnerships and strengthen workforce skills. A bilateral network could act as a forum for sharing experiences and challenges amongst youth workers involved in exchanges. It may also help stimulate interest from senior managers in youth exchange work. In addition, such a network has the potential to act as a sounding board to inform future policy and programme developments.
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