I support the growing professionalism of youth work and all that goes with it in Northern Ireland. Especially in the Churches. I support the move towards good practice in working with young people, in bringing a sort of understanding to what it is to do 'youth work'.
Working in the faith based sector I am wary of the work that can go on in proactively shaping young people towards certain value bases, which can fly in the face of informal education. Something I have written about before and won't dwell on here.
However at the same time I am proud to be part of the institution which was a leader in championing child protection and raising the rights of children in the formative years of youth work. See this BBC News article.
While the Church did not act alone - it certainly played its part in shaping the youth service as we know it today. For it to be marginalised by secular agencies (as is happneing) does a disservice to what it has contributed to, and continues to contribute to youth work today.
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