Youth organisations as learning organisations: exploring special contributions and challenges

Abstract

Youth and youth organisations are becoming valuable development partners, but little knowledge about their characteristics as learning organisations exists. This article presents perceptions of youth workers on this topic. These were gathered via an online survey and through research done by a youth network. Knowledge, skills and attitudes for active citizenship are facilitated by youth organisations as emergent learning spaces where peer-to-peer learning and experiential methods are central. Youth organisations adapt existing toolboxes and develop their own tools and knowledge that are more relevant to their needs. Support for youth organisations should take into account these special ways of learning.

Organisations de jeunes en tant qu'organisations qui apprennent : étude des contributions spéciales et des défis

Les jeunes et les organisations de jeunes sont en passe de devenir des partenaires de développement très utiles, mais il n'existe guère de connaissances sur leurs caractéristiques en tant qu'organisations qui apprennent. Cet article présente les manières dont les personnes qui travaillent avec les jeunes perçoivent ce sujet. Ces perceptions ont été recueillies au moyen d'un questionnaire en ligne et de recherches menées par un réseau de jeunes. Les connaissances, compétences et attitudes pour la citoyenneté active sont facilitées par des organisations de jeunes en tant que nouveaux espaces propices à l'apprentissage, dont les piliers sont l'apprentissage entre pairs et les méthodes expérientielles. Les organisations de jeunes adaptent les boîtes à outils existantes et mettent au point leurs propres outils et connaissances qui pourvoient mieux à leurs besoins. Le soutien apporté aux organisations de jeunes devrait tenir compte de ces façons spéciales d'apprendre.

Organizações de jovens enquanto organizações de aprendizado: Explorando contribuições especiais e desafios

Os jovens e as organizações de jovens estão se tornando valiosos parceiros de desenvolvimento, mas existe pouco conhecimento sobre suas características enquanto organizações de aprendizado. Este artigo apresenta percepções de jovens trabalhadores sobre este tópico. Elas foram reunidas através de um levantamento online e através de pesquisa realizada por uma rede de jovens. Conhecimento, habilidades e atitudes para uma cidadania ativa são promovidos por organizações de jovens como espaços de aprendizado emergentes, onde o aprendizado entre pares e métodos experimentais são centrais. As organizações de jovens adaptam caixas de ferramentas existentes e desenvolvem suas próprias ferramentas e conhecimento que sejam mais relevantes para suas necessidades. O suporte a organizações de jovens deve levar em conta estas formas especiais de aprendizado.

Organizaciones juveniles como organizaciones de aprendizaje: un examen de sus aportes y retos

La juventud y las organizaciones de jóvenes se han convertido en sectores importantes del desarrollo pero se conocen poco sus cualidades como organizaciones de aprendizaje. Este ensayo analiza qué opinan los trabajadores jóvenes sobre este tema basándose en encuestas en línea e investigaciones realizadas por una red de jóvenes. Las organizaciones juveniles cuentan con los conocimientos, herramientas y actitudes para que pueda ejercerse una ciudadanía activa, siendo a la vez espacios emergentes de aprendizaje que se centran en el aprendizaje entre pares y donde los métodos vivenciales son fundamentales. Las organizaciones juveniles adaptan las metodologías que ya existen y generan metodologías y conocimientos propios, más adaptados a sus necesidades. Las instancias que apoyen a las organizaciones juveniles deberán tomar en cuenta estas formas especiales de aprendizaje.

Keywords:

• Aid
• Civil society
• Gender and diversity
• Social sector

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to all those that contributed to make UNOY Peacebuilders a learning organisation, but above all, to make it an organisation with ‘spirit’. We would especially like to thank our members, affiliates, advisers, volunteers and board members. Thanks for everyone who responded to our survey. Thanks to Anika May and Nina Aeckerle for commenting on this article and to Maria Kooijman and Marloes van Houten for input on an earlier draft. Special thanks to Gemma Sou and Lee Bremner for proof-reading an earlier draft of this article. Finally, we are grateful to PSO Capacity Building (www.pso.nl) for their financial support and encouragement to implement the ‘Network Capacity Development’ in 2006 and our financial partners for their continued support and faith in youth organisations and networks.

Notes

Source: Composed by authors inspired by Kelleher (2002) and Parkinson (2010)

See various documents, for example: United Nations (2005), World Organization of the Scout Movement (2006) and David Adams and Jo Lofgren (2006) ‘Global Youth Solidarity Fund’, as well as the UN Resolutions on Youth, available at: http://www.un.org/youth

The Network Capacity Building Project was started in 2006 involving UNOY Peacebuilders, partner organisations and other youth networks. It was financed and supported by PSO Capacity Building. The association focuses on capacity development at social organisations in developing countries (see http://www.pso.nl).

A detailed list of knowledge, skills and content areas as identified in the survey is available upon request.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Celina Del Felice

Celina Del Felice is a PhD candidate at CIDIN (Centre for International Development Issues Nijmegen), Radboud University, The Netherlands. <[email protected]>

Lillian Solheim

Lillian Solheim (corresponding author) is International Network and Programme Coordinator at the United Network of Young Peacebuilders, based in The Hague, The Netherlands.