Digital Alternatives to Enrich Non-Formal Education Activities for Children and Youth by Creating an Interactive Online Platform

The report looks at the benefits and possible solutions to the problems posed by the global epidemic crisis through an online tool developed to provide a quality programme for members of the Organization of Bulgarian Scouts. Digital technologies are an integral part of our daily lives, evolving at a very rapid pace. The advancement of information technology allows its integration and making it a tool to deal with the consequences of the COVID crisis, which affected all youth organizations and prevented the normal implementation of planned activities.

Children and young peoples' lyrics and voices capturing their experiences within youth justice services

Purpose: This paper aims to explore young peoples' authentic experiences of youth justice services (YJS) during the Covid-19 pandemic. By adopting the creative arts-based method of lyric writing, the research team sought to empower participants through collaboration and participation and to facilitate them leading the narrative (Deakin et al., 2020). Design/methodology/approach: This research adopted a creative arts-based method in which participants worked alongside an artist to generate lyrics that captured their experiences within YJS. Such an approach demonstrated a commitment to participatory, child-first approaches. Findings: Two main themes were identified: identity and relationships. The young people vocalised resistance to frequent labelling and their ambitions to move away from past criminal identity and behaviour. Relationships with practitioners could be a source of frustration within this but were also highlighted as valuable and supportive. Research limitations/implications: As data collection was remote, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns, the opportunity to develop relationships with young people within the YJS prior to conducting the research was restricted. This approach may have also impacted recruitment of participants. The sessions presented short-term interventions and whilst follow-up sessions were offered, many did not take them up. Although the research sample is small and cannot be considered representative, it allows for a valuable insight into the experiences of young people at a particularly challenging time. Practical implications: Upon receiving our findings and recommendations, the first YJS research site has sought to further embed a relationship-based practice model and greater creative/participatory socially prescribed psychosocial therapeutic interventions, including music groups and spoken word artists to work with children and young people. Originality value: This research adds to the growing literature base surrounding creative arts-based research with children and young people for their value towards communication, pro-social identity and development. © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Insights on the COVID-19 pandemic: Youth engagement through Photovoice.

Youth engagement in disaster risk reduction is a growing area of research, practice and policy. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for improved opportunities for youth to participate and have their voices heard. Our Photovoice study explores experiences, perceptions, and insights of youth regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, while providing an opportunity for youth to participate in disaster risk reduction and contribute to resilient communities. We conducted nine focus groups from February 2019 to August 2020 with four teenaged youth; we analyzed the data using reflexive thematic analysis and hosted two virtual Photovoice exhibitions. Our results explore youth experiences of public health measures, impacts of the pandemic, pandemic magnification of social inequities, and the power of youth to create change. We provide six calls to action, focusing on a holistic, upstream, all-of-society approach for stakeholders to collaborate with youth in creating change on complex social justice issues to support COVID-19 recovery.

Photovoice and Instagram as Strategies for Youth Engagement in Disaster Risk Reduction.

Community involvement is essential for an all-of-society approach to disaster risk reduction. This requires innovative consultation methods, particularly with youth and during pandemic restrictions. This article outlines methods used for a Photovoice project where we brought together student co-researchers from multiple levels (high school, undergraduate, and graduate health sciences) to explore the topic of youth engagement in disaster risk reduction. Over a two-year period, our team used Photovoice as an arts-based participatory method to collaborate with members of our EnRiCH Youth Research Team. We adapted the protocol to continue our project during the COVID-19 pandemic and presented our work in a Photovoice exhibition using Instagram. This article was written from the perspectives of high school and university students on the project. Our hybrid Photovoice protocol facilitated participation through the pandemic, including a virtual presentation at an international conference and online consultation with the Canadian Red Cross.

Coproducción del conocimiento a través de metodologías digitales: una alternativa pedagógica en zonas marginadas de conflicto

El potencial de transformación comunitaria que tiene la participación juvenil se reconoce cada vez más en el ámbito político-práctico-académico. El artículo analiza el aprendizaje metodológico de nuestro proyecto digital participativo basado en la música y las artes con jóvenes afrocolombianos e indígenas en Quibdó-Colombia, una zona afectada por el conflicto, la violencia y la marginación sistémica. Presentando la metodología digital coproducida, reflexionamos sobre los desafíos y oportunidades que surgen al involucrar jóvenes en geografías marginadas a través de formas creativas y digitales de participación. Cuando el COVID-19 ha destacado los desafíos de la exclusión digital a nivel mundial, nuestros hallazgos aportan consideraciones prácticas para planificar proyectos digitales inclusivos con jóvenes en marginalidad, resaltando la necesidad de la contextualización relevante en los enfoques metodológicos y pedagógicos, y la aproximación transdisciplinar de los equipos pedagógicos para aprovechar el potencial de la música y las artes en el fomento de la participación juvenil.Alternate : The potential for community transformation that youth participation has is increasingly recognized in the political-practical-academic sphere. The article analyzes the methodological learning of our participatory digital project based on music and the arts with Afro-Colombian and indigenous youth in Quibdó-Colombia, an area affected by conflict, violence and systemic marginalization. Presenting the co-produced digital methodology, we reflect on the challenges and opportunities that arise from engaging youth in marginalized geographies through creative and digital forms of engagement. When COVID-19 has highlighted the challenges of digital exclusion worldwide, our findings provide practical considerations to plan inclusive digital projects with marginalized youth, highlighting the need for relevant contextualization in methodological and pedagogical approaches, and the transdisciplinary approach. of pedagogical teams to harness the potential of music and the arts in fostering youth participation.Alternate : O potencial que a participação juvenil tem de transformação da comunidade está cada vez mais sendo reconhecido na esfera político-prática-acadêmica. Este artigo analisa o aprendizado metodológico de nosso projeto digital participativo baseado na música e nas artes com jovens afro-colombianos e indígenas em Quibdó-Colômbia, uma área afetada por conflitos, violência e marginalização sistêmica. Apresentando a metodologia digital coproduzida, refletimos sobre os desafios e as oportunidades que surgem do engajamento de jovens em geografias marginalizadas por meio de formas criativas e digitais de engajamento. Diante dos desafios da exclusão digital evidenciado pelo COVID-19 em todo o mundo, nossos resultados fornecem considerações práticas no planejamento de projetos digitais inclusivos com jovens marginalizados, destacando-se a necessidade de contextualização relevante em abordagens metodológicas e pedagógicas, além da abordagem transdisciplinar de equipes pedagógicas para aproveitar o potencial da música e das artes na promoção da participação juvenil.

The Dynamics of Youth Employment and Empowerment in Agriculture and Rural Development in South Africa: A Scoping Review

Over the years, South Africa has made significant investments aimed at transforming the agricultural sector to deliver on rural economic development and job creation. These investments have had varying levels of success;still, what is worrying is the high youth unemployment rate which is amongst the highest globally. We conducted a scoping review using the PRISMA-P guidelines to identify the challenges youth face in accessing sustainable employment in the agriculture sector. Peer-reviewed studies were retrieved from online databases (Web of Science, Cab Direct, and Science Direct) for 1994–2021. The findings showed that youth are still facing significant challenges in the demand and supply side of the labour market and lack of inclusivity in policy formulation and implementation, limiting their involvement in agriculture and rural development initiatives. Policies and strategies responding to these challenges exist, and the spectrum of support services provided are primarily focused on entrepreneurship. Yet, the implementation of programs and initiatives has not been successful. This could be attributed to the obstacles persisting in the sociopolitical environment in SA, causing additional barriers to program implementation. Therefore, to enhance youth involvement in agriculture and rural development, there is a need to connect more rural youth to support services, local employment programmes, and youth inclusion in policy formulation processes. Additionally, the focus of policy and programs should be broadened to cater to different youth knowledge and skill profiles.

Understanding Social Inclusion in Contemporary Society: Challenges, Reflections, Limitations, and Proposals

In 2015, the UN approved the 2030 agenda on sustainable development, intending to bridge—and eventually close—the gaps that divide our societies. These 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) are presented as a master plan that covers the most painful global challenges to a knowledgeable and inclusive society. In this thematic issue we look more incisively into goals no. 1 (no poverty), no. 4 (quality of education and inclusive education), no. 10 (reduced inequalities), and no. 11 (sustainable cities and communities) of the agenda. Social inequalities have drastically intensified after the 2008 financial crisis and the period of austerity that followed, especially among the poorest people and in the most vulnerable commu-nities. Nowadays particularly, with the Covid‐19 pandemic, these gaps seem to be growing. Against this background, this thematic issue aims to capture, make visible, understand, and analyze how social actors are organizing themselves and col-laborating amongst each other in order to help attenuate and satisfy dramatic emerging social needs and improve living conditions, especially among the most vulnerable social groups, in uncertain times of crisis. We focus particularly on two main thematic blocks: social inclusion axes on the one hand (formal, non‐formal, and informal education, participation, leisure time, and culture) and vulnerable groups on the other (including children, adolescents, youth, women, the elderly, people with disabilities, and migrants). Contributions to this thematic issue offer interesting conceptual, methodological, and empirical approaches to the study of social inclusion and social inclusive experiences in contemporary societies in uncertain times, particularly in Spain, Portugal, Belgium, and Brazil. © 2022 by the author(s);licensee Cogitatio (Lisbon, Portugal).

Potential of Youth Participation in Local Territory Branding Management

The purpose of this article is an attempt to determine the main characteristics of the potential for youth participation in branding of territory for the implementation of a scientific approach to branding of cities with the participation of residents in different countries. This is the first article that relatively approaches the issue of youth participation in branding of places and takes into account different experiences of countries. The results of a survey of young people in several cities in Poland, Romania, Armenia, Russia were used to develop a model of the potential for youth participation in territory branding on the basis of two scales - attractiveness of the territory and willingness of youth to participate in promoting settlements of their residence. Cross-country differences in the representation of various youth groups were identified in terms of their potential for participating in the branding of local territories. The model can be used as a basis for the development of urban programs for involving youth in territory branding. These programs do not differ significantly across countries and cities. However, the model can be used at the first stage of the development of such programs to highlight the specifics of each territory based on an assessment of the potential according to the research presented in the article.

"I believe this team will change how society views youth in disasters": the EnRiCH Youth Research Team: a youth-led community-based disaster risk reduction program in Ottawa, Canada.

SETTING: The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction promotes an "all-of-society" approach to disaster risk reduction (DRR). Since 2013, the EnRiCH Research Lab has implemented a community-based, participatory program to promote youth development and engagement in DRR in Ottawa-Gatineau. The EnRiCH Youth Research Team used an existing community education program called the Enrichment Mini-Course Program as a framework to engage youth in DRR. We aim to share the implementation process and lessons learned from this innovative "all-of-society" approach to DRR. INTERVENTION: The EnRiCH Youth Research Team provides high school and university students with a platform to be heard on disaster and climate change issues. Youth are given opportunities to design and lead knowledge dissemination projects intended to educate members of the community about disaster prevention and preparedness. Students have opportunities to connect with academics, governmental and non-governmental organizations, and public health practitioners to share their ideas on youth participation in DRR in Canada. OUTCOMES: To date, this public health intervention has produced DRR training modules that can be used as curriculum support by teachers, a children's book on earthquake preparedness, an educational video about youth participation in DRR, and several conference presentations. Members of the team have become well versed in disaster preparedness strategies. IMPLICATIONS: This program has demonstrated that youth can contribute to DRR through knowledge mobilization, and support public education about disaster preparedness. Offering this opportunity at a grassroots level can support participation by youth by allowing flexibility in design and adaptation to individual environmental and social contexts.

RéSUMé: CONTEXTE: Le Cadre d'action de Sendai pour la réduction des risques de catastrophe promeut une approche « de la société dans son ensemble ¼ en matière de réduction des risques de catastrophe (RRC). Depuis 2013, le laboratoire de recherche EnRiCH a mis en place un programme participatif communautaire visant à promouvoir la participation et épanouissement des jeunes à la RRC dans la région d'Ottawa-Gatineau. L'équipe de recherche Jeunesse EnRiCH a utilisé un programme d'éducation communautaire déjà existant, le programme de mini-cours d'enrichissement, comme cadre pour engager les jeunes dans la RRC et les sensibiliser à ce sujet. Notre objectif est de partager le processus de mise en œuvre et les leçons tirées de cette approche innovante « de la société dans son ensemble ¼ en RRC. INTERVENTION: L'équipe de recherche Jeunesse EnRiCH fournit aux étudiants du secondaire et universitaires une plateforme pour se faire entendre sur les sujets des catastrophes et des changements climatiques. Les jeunes ont la possibilité de concevoir et de diriger des projets de diffusion des connaissances destinés à éduquer les membres de la communauté en matière de prévention et de préparation aux catastrophes. Ils ont la possibilité de rencontrer des universitaires, des organismes gouvernementaux et non-gouvernementaux et des praticiens de la santé publique pour partager leurs idées sur la participation des jeunes à la RRC au Canada. RéSULTATS: À ce jour, cette intervention de santé publique a produit des modules de formation à la RCC pouvant être utilisés comme matériel éducatif par les enseignants, un livre pour enfants sur la préparation aux tremblements de terre, une vidéo éducative sur la participation des jeunes à la RRC, et plusieurs présentations de conférence. Les membres de l'équipe connaissent bien les stratégies de préparation aux catastrophes. IMPLICATIONS: Ce programme a démontré que les jeunes peuvent contribuer à la RRC par la mobilisation des connaissances et soutenir l'éducation du public en matière de préparation aux catastrophes. Offrir cette opportunité au niveau local peut encourager la participation des jeunes en permettant de la flexibilité dans la mise en oeuvre et une adaptation aux contextes environnementaux et sociaux individuels.

No lockdown: necropolitics and collective youth action in Colombia (2020) / Sin cuarentena: necropolítica y acción colectiva juvenil en Colombia (2020) / Sem quarentena: necropolítica e ação coletiva juvenil na Colômbia (2020)

Resumen (analítico) La necropolítica se fortaleció en Colombia en medio de la cuarentena causada por el nuevo coronavirus. Como respuesta surgieron diversas formas de protesta, dos de las cuales se analizan en este artículo: la movilización derivada del caso de abuso sexual a una niña emberá por parte de siete militares y la acción colectiva juvenil del movimiento estudiantil, en especial de la Asociación Colombiana de Representantes Estudiantiles de la Educación Superior. El estudio se basa en una aproximación sociocrítica y cualitativa que articula tres técnicas: revisión documental, análisis de contenidos publicados en Twitter y entrevista semiestructurada. Entre los resultados se evidencia que, frente a la necropolítica, la acción colectiva juvenil reaccionó desplegando su potencial transformador por medio de la combinación del ciberactivismo y la movilización «desobediente¼ en las calles.

Abstract (analytical) Necropolitics was strengthened in Colombia during the lockdown caused by the new coronavirus. In response, different forms of protest emerged, two of which are analyzed in this article: the mobilization regarding the case of sexual abuse of an Emberá girl by seven soldiers; and the collective youth action of the student movement, especially the Colombian Association of Higher Education Student Representatives. This study is based on a socio-critical and qualitative approach that articulates three techniques: document review, analysis of content published on Twitter and semistructured interviews. The results evidence that, in the face of necropolitics, youth collective action reacted by displaying its transformational potential through the combination of cyber-activism and "disobedient" mobilization on the streets.

Resumo (analítico) A necropolítica foi fortalecida na Colômbia em meio à quarentena causada pelo novo coronavírus. Em resposta, surgiram várias formas de protesto, duas das quais analisadas neste artigo: a mobilização derivada do caso de abuso sexual de uma menina Emberá por sete soldados e a ação coletiva da juventude do movimento estudantil, especialmente a Associação Colombiana de Representantes de Estudantes do Ensino Superior. O estudo é baseado em uma abordagem sóciocrítica e qualitativa que articula três técnicas: revisão documental, análise de conteúdo publicado no Twitter e uma entrevista semiestruturada. Entre os resultados, é evidente que, diante da necropolítica, a ação coletiva juvenil reagiu ao mostrar seu potencial transformador por meio da combinação de ciberativismo e mobilização "desobediente" nas ruas.

"Hey, we also have something to say": A qualitative study of Portuguese adolescents' and young people's experiences under COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: (1) To give adolescents and youth a voice and listen to the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in their lives; (2) to identify their coping strategies; (3) present lessons learned to be better prepared for future pandemics. METHODS: Six hundred and seventeen participants from 16 to 24 years old (M = 19.2 years; F = 19.1 years) answered the online questionnaire during the pandemic lockdown. Sociodemographic data were analyzed with SPSS version 26 and qualitative data with MAXQDA 2020. Engel's Biopsychosocial model supported the analysis and data presentation. RESULTS: in terms of impacts, stands out: biological-headaches and muscle pain; psychological-more time to perform pleasant and personal development activities, but more symptoms of depression, anxiety, and loneliness, longer screen time, and more substance use; social-increase of family conflicts and disagreements, loss of important life moments, contacts, and social skills, but it allows a greater selection of friendships. Regarding coping strategies, the importance of facing these times with a positive perspective, carrying out pleasurable activities, keeping in touch with family and friends, and establishing routines are emphasized. As lessons for future pandemics, the importance of respecting the norms of the Directorate-General for Health, the need for the National Health System to be prepared, as well as teachers and students for online learning, and studying the possibility of establishing routines with the support of television. CONCLUSIONS: This study illustrates adolescents and young people's perception of the impacts of the pandemic upon them, as well as their competence to participate in the issues that directly affect them. Priorities to mitigate the impact of future pandemics are presented.