Civic Youth Work © Training

Public Achievement has developed and published a model of practice we call 'Democratic Civic Practice' ©.  When applied to work with young people, we call it 'Civic Youth Work' ©.  This model of work revolves around a process we call the action project cycle - where teams of young people supported by a volunteer 'coach' design, implement and make public a project or campaign that addresses issues that young people identify as important.

At the core of the model is a conception of young people as citizens now - not citizens of the future, or citizens in preparation.  We see young people in terms of their capcity, not their incapacity.  We also believe that young people should be involved in real work - around real issues - in their communities and in society.  We train 'coaches' to work with teams of young people, engaging them in projects which address issues the young people identify as important, and which are of public value.

Public Achievement offers a range of training in this model, and we have published both a curriculum and a handbook for practitioners.  We have also produced a companion resource aimed at those working with young people in conflicted and post-conflict societies.  These documents are available for purchase through our shop.

We can offer a range of training sessions from a few hours to several days.  We can also offer training internationally, or we can host training in Northern Ireland - including giving trainees an insight into the history and current context of Northern Ireland.

Citizenship

In Public Achievement we believe that young people are citizens now - not future citizens, or citizens in preparation.  They have rights (as outlined for example in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and other instruments), and they also have responsibility for each other and for others in their communities, society and the wider world.

We believe that adults should work co-creatively with young people - in ways which discover shared solutions to common problems, and which help build the capacity of young people as civic actors.

If you are interested in Civic Youth Work training, please contact our Chief Executive, Paul Smyth.