Youth information and counselling work

The Commission on Youth Issues held its open working meeting in April 2009 in Riga. All the partner cities of the joint project "Different History - Common Future..." and other cities interested in youth issues participated. Traditionally, during the meetings civil servants responsible for youth work in the cities and young people representing the city discuss together relevant matters, so that the opinion of youth is acknowledged. First meeting in 2009 focused on Commission structure and future plans. Tallinn chairs the Commission but the co-chair of the Commission is about to change. There will be a 2 year period for the new co-chair to get involved and prepare, so they can take over the chair later. Kalmar who has done excellent work so far and has given much into the development of the Commission on Youth Issues is turning over the co-chair to the new city this fall during the Youth Conference "Bridges over the Sea". There is an open call until 15 June 2009 for the UBC cities who are active in youth work area to apply for the co-chair of the Commission. More details are available at www.ubc-youth.org.

Second part of the Commission's meeting focused on the youth information and counselling work. The cities presented their principles and best practices. There are EU guidelines to be followed on youth information and counseling work, so participants discussed the importance, necessity and applicability of these guidelines in the light of real city life and reality of contemporary youth. During the workshop participants also put together the "ideal" example of the info stand on European Voluntary Service which could be used in different youth facilities. The Commission's meeting was also a platform for the cities to form new contacts and start new projects in the youth field - at "Idea market". Joint project of the Commission "Different History - Common Future..." will end in December 2009. Many new ideas and practices started during this project can be used in the future - Tolerance Trips for youngsters or NGO's are probably the best outcome to be proud of.

The participants had also a great opportunity to visit Riga's best youth facilities during the visit and enjoy the busy life of Latvia's capital.