The aim of this section is to learn about the importance and ways of addressing intersectionality and intersectional justice in youth work, and to acquire the skills necessary for creating a safe environment for young people.
After completing this section, you will:
• understand why it is necessary to address intersectionality in youth work;
• understand the impact of ignoring intersectional discrimination on young people;
• be able to advocate for intersectionality and communicate with policy-makers;
• understand why we need to create safe spaces for young people;
• learn what a safe space means in practice;
• learn how to work with young people who hold discriminatory beliefs;
• test your knowledge on creating safe spaces and addressing intersectionality with practical examples.
Highlights of the strand
Youth workers play a key role in building relationships based on acceptance and respect for diversity. Developing non-discriminatory attitudes is a process that takes time, patience and consistency. It is important that you encourage all young people to take an active part in eliminating discriminatory practices.
A youth worker can help to develop non-discriminatory attitudes in young people:
- By setting an example of respect and acceptance of diversity. Young people often imitate the behaviour of the adults around them, so it is important that youth workers demonstrate these values on a daily basis.
- By encouraging open and safe discussions and creating a safe space.
- By creating a space where young people feel safe to express their thoughts and feelings about diversity and discrimination.
- Encourage critical thinking and dialogue that allows young people to talk with different perspectives. Dialogue between young people with different backgrounds helps to reduce prejudice and promote mutual understanding.
- By promoting youth leadership and youth inclusion. Empower young people to lead projects and initiatives that promote acceptance and respect for diversity.
- By including materials with different perspectives. Educational materials representing different cultures, histories and perspectives help young people to broaden their understanding of the world and their acceptance of diversity.
- By organising training sessions on diversity and inclusion. By organising workshops and lectures that focus on understanding and accepting different cultures, identities, sexual orientations and life experiences, the importance of empathy and understanding the perspectives of others is emphasised.
- By supporting and mentoring young people. Support young people who want to get actively involved in the fight against discrimination. You can help them to organise campaigns, initiatives and projects.
- By responding immediately to discrimination when it occurs. Youth workers must not ignore discriminatory comments or behaviour. They should be addressed immediately. Use such situations as opportunities to learn, discuss and raise awareness about the negative consequences of such actions.
- By networking with other organisations. Working with other local and national organisations working on issues of diversity and discrimination gives youth workers access to additional resources, knowledge and support, as well as the opportunity to share experiences. Joint initiatives and projects in the field of anti-discrimination can increase their reach and effectiveness.