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Critical Social Education in Youth Work
Critical Social Education in Youth Work
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Democracy is under pressure. Inequality is rising. Young people see it, feel it, and are asking questions. As youth workers, we hold the tools to help them think critically, speak out, and take action. This workshop is about reigniting critical social education – not just as a method, but as a movement to put young people at the heart of change.
Join this session that will be held over 2 days which will be facilitated by Joyce Brennan (In Sync), Tracey McArdle (Our Generation) and Maura Littlewood (In Sync).
Day 1: will focus on deepening learning
Day 2: will feature creative, interactive, and arts-based approaches to showcase and celebrate our work.
Background to Critical Social Education in Youth Work Ireland:
Youth Work Ireland has long been a strong advocate for critical social education, publishing key texts and championing the role of youth work in defending democracy and civil society. Our work has always been rooted in democratic values – standing against injustice, tackling inequality, and empowering young people to have a voice.
Yet, over time, awareness and practice of critical social education have declined. Recruitment challenges, funding pressures, and the urgent needs of young people have shifted the focus toward individual challenges rather than the broader social contexts that shape them. While our rights-based approach has been effective in influencing policy and funders, critical social education remains essential – especially now.
In an era of misinformation, disinformation, and declining democratic values, youth work has a vital role to play in supporting young people to become critical thinkers, democratic actors, and engaged citizens. Young people see and feel the impact of global and local injustices every day. They are asking questions, and they want to be part of the answers.
Critical Social Education provides the tools and pathways for this.
By revisiting it, we can:
- Re-energize our core youth work practice.
- Equip young people to engage meaningfully with issues that matter to them.
- Clearly communicate the unique and vital role of youth workers in strengthening democracy and society.
This workshop is an invitation to re-center critical social education at the heart of our practice – to meet today’s challenges, and to prepare young people to lead with awareness, courage, and democratic values.
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- Reignite your understanding of critical social education — reconnecting with youth work’s roots in justice, democracy, and equality.
- Gain fresh tools to empower young people as critical thinkers — supporting them to question, challenge, and shape the world around them.
- Strengthen yours and young people's capacity to tackle today’s challenges — from misinformation to democratic decline, with clarity and confidence.
- Reclaim the unique role of youth work — as a vital force for defending democracy, amplifying young voices, and driving social change.
- Leave inspired to act — ready to place critical social education back at the heart of youth work practice.
Tasks
Task no.1
Issued by organiser or scanning QR code
DAY 1: Highlight any issues that have been identified in today's session (1-3 issues will suffice).
Task no.2
Issued by organiser or scanning QR code
DAY 2: Write a short piece describing how critical social education can help in your work.
Skills
ETS-TR
#Supporting learners in developing critical thinking
ETS-TR
#Is comfortable with addressing and applying the principles of non-formal learning when designing a programme with a particular focus on ‘learner-centeredness’, ‘transparency’, ‘democratic values’, ‘participation’ and ‘social transformation’
Organisers
Youth Work Ireland
Used in playlists
"Promoting our Practice"
Youth Work Ireland
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