Addressing intersectional discrimination in youth work

Content

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.

Resources

Get activity badge

Addressing intersectional discrimination in youth work Get this badge

The badge holder understands why it is important to address intersectionality in youth work and to create safe spaces for young people and what this means in practice; what the consequences of ignoring intersectional discrimination are for young people; knows how to advocate for intersectionality and communicate with policy makers; knows how to work with young people who hold discriminatory beliefs.

You have to finish 2 tasks to get the badge

Tasks

Task no.1

Evidence verified by: one activity organiser

Take the Addressing Intersectional Discrimination Quiz at the external link. You will find the answers in the published material.
As proof, please write in your answer that you have completed the quiz.

Task no.2

Evidence verified by: one activity organiser

Youth workers must never ignore intersectional discrimination, as such behaviour can have serious consequences for individuals and entire communities. Young people are particularly vulnerable.
Young people who experience intersectional discrimination can feel alienated, isolated and invisible in society. The consequences of ignoring intersectional discrimination for young people can be:
• social isolation and marginalisation of young people;
• psychological problems (depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, low self-confidence or
self-image);
• lower educational achievements;
• behavioural problems;
• increased levels of stress and negative emotions;
• limited access to employment;
• poorer prospects to improve their economic situation;
• less chance of promotion;
• increasing inequality;
• poorer health and access to healthcare services;
• distrust in social systems.
﻿
As a youth worker, how would you respond to insults or discrimination among young people? 

Task no.3

Evidence verified by: one activity organiser

Check out 8 practical exercises designed as worksheets that you can use in your youth work to address discrimination (with a focus on intersectionality). The exercises are posted above under Resources and are ready to download and print.
﻿
Choose one exercise and write down where and how you would use it.

Skills

#Encouraging young people to reflect and exchange ideas regarding issues such as solidarity, social justice, promoting/protecting human rights, discrimination, dignity and equality

ETS-TR

#Avoids using methods which implicitly reinforce stereotypes and discrimination

#Applying non-formal learning principles in programme design with emphasis on youth-centeredness, transparency, democratic values, participation, empowerment, and social transformation

ESCO

#advocate equality of opportunity in organisations

ESCO

#advocate for human rights

ESCO

#advocate social relationships

ESCO

#arrange youth activities

ESCO

#arrange youth programmes

ETS-TR

#Adopts appropriate behaviour that respects ethical boundaries within a given group of learners

Career and job readiness

Added to playlist (1)

Time to complete: 1 hour 30 minutes

Organisers

Forum za enakopraven razvoj

Used in playlists

Online training on intersectional discrimination in youth work

Forum za enakopraven razvoj

Created on Global platform for Cities of Learning

Badgecraft hosts this platform and develops it together with leading educational organisations. The European Union's programme Erasmus+ granted co-funding for building the first version of this platform. Contact support@badgecraft.eu.