Promoting Our Practice: Youth Work Ireland National Gathering 2025
On Monday, September 22nd, and Tuesday, September 23rd, 60 youth workers from across Youth Work Ireland’s membership gathered in Dublin for a special Community of Practice Residential. This two-day event created a dynamic space for connection, reflection, and learning as youth workers explored the realities and challenges of their work and celebrated the collective strength of youth work in Ireland to support young people.
Exploring Current Realities in Youth Work
The Gathering opened with a powerful session, Current Realities and Guiding Lights in Youth Work, which saw participants name the challenges young people and youth services face today, while also highlighting the values and guiding principles that continue to anchor and inspire practice.
An interactive “world café” supported youth workers began to shape the Youth Work Ireland Way model of youth work practice that reflects the essential ingredients of meaningful youth work across our services.
Critical Social Education at the Heart of Practice
A central theme of the residential was Critical Social Education, the commitment to supporting young people to think critically, question inequality, and actively engage in democracy. Across two days, youth workers took part in both structured training and creative arts-based workshops to reclaim and reimagine critical social education as a cornerstone of youth work practice.
Influenced and guided by the Youth Work for All campaign, this approach equips young people to understand the systems shaping their lives and to act as change-makers in their communities. In today’s fast-changing world, where misinformation, inequality, and social division are pressing concerns, youth workers play a vital role in guiding young people to become active, critical, and democratic citizens.
Celebrating Youth Workers
The Gathering served as a moment to celebrate the dedication, creativity, and impact of youth workers across Ireland. Through their daily practice, youth workers empower young people to navigate complex realities, build resilience, and create meaningful change in their own lives and communities.
As one participant reflected: “This space reminded us that while the challenges are real, the collective strength of youth work is powerful. Together we can keep creating spaces where young people feel supported, valued, and heard.”
Stay tuned: Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing stories, tools, and resources from the Gathering to showcase the impact of Communities of Practice and the Youth Work Ireland Way.