How can youth work collaborate?- Case HelsinkiDirector of Youth Affairs Tommi LaitioTwitter @tommilaitio
Is our task:1.Professionals running professional,
clearly defined services2.Making the municipality a great place
to be a young person? Only the first one can be done alone.
”Capabilities approach starts with a very simple question: What are people actually able to be and do?”- Philosopher Martha Nussbaum
The moral significance of individuals’ capability of achieving the kind of lives they have reason to value.-Economist Amartya Sen
Joint theoretical framework helps in having a shared goal with other services. In Helsinki the capabilities approach.
• Good life is active life, using one´s skills for the sake of one´s community.
• Wellbeing without agency is not sustainable.• Choice is an end as well as a means to an
end.• Young people´s experience of their
capabilities is reliable information.
Shared knowledge leads to shared work. In Helsinki Young People´s Wellbeing Report
There are multiple options for the role of local youth work.In Helsinki:•Knowledge on young people´s lives and needs•Building, supporting and guiding youth groups; responsible roles for young people•Method for young people to influence their neighbourhood•Leisure and after school activities•Targeted support•Support and guidance regarding the future•Support for civil society
Joint theory and youth-led data leads to shared priorities• Organisation-driven
goals -> youth-driven goals
• Joint priorities for the following years:– Antiracism– Independence skills– Positive interactions
2,3 million euro participatory design project on migrant work together with a private foundation and other departments.
Participatory budgeting: 7000 young people plan and vote on initiatives for their neighbourhood together with schools.
Summer job voucher for all 15-year-olds together with employment services.
One-stop service point for youth on health, education, employment and leisure.
Recipe for joint work for youth1. Shared theory of good life and
theory of change.2. Shared database and interpreting
it based on the theories. 3. Translating city priorities for the
staff and partners.4. Dialogue on differences with other
professionals. 5. Reframing youth work from
providing services to improving the city for young people.
6. Clear definition of the role of youth work.
7. Positive initiatives with new partners:1. Young people in elderly care homes2. Young people producing events for
museums3. Young people´s ideas improving the city
for everyone4. Reality TV programe with youth
8. Positive visibility for the city in social and traditional media.
Tommi LaitioDirector of Youth AffairsCity of Helsinki, Youth DepartmentHietaniemenkatu 9BPL 5000, 00099 City of Helsinki
tommi.laitio (a) hel.fitommilaitio.munstadi.firuuti.nettwitter: tommilaitio