NYCI Conference - Engaging with Youth and the World 29/30 April 2010 Jim O’Donovan - OMCYA

Europe 2020 – A European Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth “2010 must mark a new beginning” “2010 must mark a new beginning” Europe 2020 (March 2010) successor to Lisbon Agenda Europe 2020 (March 2010) successor to Lisbon Agenda New framework for cooperation in youth field ( ) New framework for cooperation in youth field ( ) Move of Youth Affairs to OMCYA – more integrated cohesive approach to youth policy development and implementation. Move of Youth Affairs to OMCYA – more integrated cohesive approach to youth policy development and implementation.

Europe 2020 Headline targets – employment, R&D, climate/energy targets, early school leaving and poverty Headline targets – employment, R&D, climate/energy targets, early school leaving and poverty Seven flagship initiatives – Youth on the Move – focus on education and training, entrepreneurship, access to labour market, promote non and in - formal learning Seven flagship initiatives – Youth on the Move – focus on education and training, entrepreneurship, access to labour market, promote non and in - formal learning

Summary of Council Resolution on renewed framework for European cooperation in the youth field ( ) Context: Promoting the social and professional integration of young people is an essential component to reach the objectives of Europe's Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs, at the same time as promoting personal fulfilment, social cohesion and active citizenship. Promoting the social and professional integration of young people is an essential component to reach the objectives of Europe's Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs, at the same time as promoting personal fulfilment, social cohesion and active citizenship. Challenges to be met include youth unemployment, young people not participating in education or training, poverty, low levels of participation in the democratic process and various health problems. Challenges to be met include youth unemployment, young people not participating in education or training, poverty, low levels of participation in the democratic process and various health problems.

The overall objectives of European cooperation in the youth field should be to: create more and equal opportunities for all young people in education and in the labour market, and to create more and equal opportunities for all young people in education and in the labour market, and to promote the active citizenship, social inclusion and solidarity of all young people. promote the active citizenship, social inclusion and solidarity of all young people.

Achieving and implementing the objectives implies a dual approach involving the development and promotion of: Specific initiatives in the youth field - policies and actions specifically targeted at young people, including non-formal learning, participation, voluntary activities, youth work, mobility and information and Specific initiatives in the youth field - policies and actions specifically targeted at young people, including non-formal learning, participation, voluntary activities, youth work, mobility and information and Mainstreaming initiatives - initiatives to enable a cross-sectoral approach where due account is taken of youth issues when formulating, implementing and evaluating policies and actions in other policy fields. Mainstreaming initiatives - initiatives to enable a cross-sectoral approach where due account is taken of youth issues when formulating, implementing and evaluating policies and actions in other policy fields.

The main fields of action in which initiatives should be taken are: Education and training Education and training Employment and entrepreneurship Employment and entrepreneurship Health and well-being Health and well-being Participation Participation Voluntary activities Voluntary activities Social inclusion Social inclusion Youth and the world Youth and the world Creativity and culture Creativity and culture

Achieving and implementing the objectives also requires that: European cooperation in the youth field should be European cooperation in the youth field should be –evidence based, pertinent and concrete. and produce –Clear and visible results Cooperation should be implemented by a renewed open method of coordination (OMC) based on Cooperation should be implemented by a renewed open method of coordination (OMC) based on –Work cycles of three years commencing in 2010 –Priorities for cooperation between member states –Implementation Instruments e.g. mutual learning, progress reporting, dissemination of results, etc. –Structured Dialogue with young people aligned with overall objectives and priorities for each work cycle Youth Work should be supported and developed as a cross-sectoral issue Youth Work should be supported and developed as a cross-sectoral issue

Member States are invited to: Work together to enhance cooperation on the basis of the overall objectives, the fields of action, the dual approach, implementation instruments and of the priorities agreed for each work cycle. Work together to enhance cooperation on the basis of the overall objectives, the fields of action, the dual approach, implementation instruments and of the priorities agreed for each work cycle. Adopt measures at national level which can contribute to achieving the overall objectives outlined in the renewed framework and consider learning at EU level when devising national policies in the youth field and other related policy areas. Adopt measures at national level which can contribute to achieving the overall objectives outlined in the renewed framework and consider learning at EU level when devising national policies in the youth field and other related policy areas.

Work Cycle Overall Priority – Youth Unemployment (Jan Jun 2011) Overall Priority – Youth Unemployment (Jan Jun 2011) The following specific priorities – which will contribute to the overall priority - will be addressed under the relevant Presidencies as follows: The following specific priorities – which will contribute to the overall priority - will be addressed under the relevant Presidencies as follows: –Jan-Jun 2010 (Spanish Presidency) – Social inclusion –Jun-Dec 2010 (Belgian Presidency) – Youth Work –Jan-Jun 2011 (Hungarian Presidency) - Participation

Conclusions First, how can youth policies, initiatives and practices interface effectively with other broad policy areas such as education, health and well-being and the labour market and in this instance youth in the world, so as to promote and help these respective policy areas achieve their aims and objectives? First, how can youth policies, initiatives and practices interface effectively with other broad policy areas such as education, health and well-being and the labour market and in this instance youth in the world, so as to promote and help these respective policy areas achieve their aims and objectives? Second, what unique contribution can youth policy and practice make to the broader policy framework? Effectively, what can we in the youth sector do, through youth work and provision of youth services, that our colleagues in other policy areas cannot do or less effectively do? Second, what unique contribution can youth policy and practice make to the broader policy framework? Effectively, what can we in the youth sector do, through youth work and provision of youth services, that our colleagues in other policy areas cannot do or less effectively do? What particular strengths, experience and expertise can Ireland contribution to this process? What particular strengths, experience and expertise can Ireland contribution to this process?