Youth Work Ireland was delighted to welcome Glen Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, to Dublin, where he met with more than 30 young people from Youth Work Ireland Member Youth Services taking part in a workshop exploring how the Youth Work for All campaign can be advanced and actioned into the future.
The visit provided a valuable opportunity for young people to engage directly with the Commissioner and share their perspectives on the future of youth policy in Ireland and across Europe. Young people discussed the importance of ensuring that every young person has access to quality youth work opportunities in their community, regardless of their background, identity or circumstances.
At the heart of the discussion was Youth Work Ireland’s Youth Work for All campaign, a national advocacy initiative that promotes youth work as a right for all young people. Through creative arts-based activities, policy engagement and advocacy, the campaign supports young people to have their voices heard and to influence decisions that impact their lives and communities.
During the workshop, young people shared how youth work has positively impacted their lives and explored practical ways to strengthen access to youth work services nationwide. They also discussed their ambitions for the future of youth policy and the role youth work can play in building more inclusive, connected and resilient communities.
Commissioner Micallef spoke about the importance of providing safe and supportive spaces where young people can connect, grow and participate fully in society. He also highlighted the need for youth work to be recognised, valued and reflected within future European youth policy, including the development of the next EU Youth Strategy.
The visit provided an important platform for dialogue between young people and European decision-makers and reinforced the value of meaningful youth participation in shaping policy. It also highlighted the important contribution youth organisations make across Ireland and Europe in supporting wellbeing, active citizenship, inclusion and democratic engagement.
As Europe considers the future direction of youth policy, Youth Work Ireland will continue to champion the message that access to youth work is a right and that quality youth work should be available to every young person, in every community. The visit served as a powerful reminder of the importance of listening to young people’s voices and ensuring they are central to decisions that shape their future.