IDYW  and its supporters have been invited to be involved in  this important opportunity to be in dialogue with practitioners across disciplines and professions.

Conference Overview

Liverpool Hope University is pleased to announce a major international conference on childhood and youth:

Children and Young People in a Changing World: Action, Agency and Participation

23rd and 24th June 2016 – Liverpool Hope University

Keynote Speakers

Mary Jane Kehily – Professor of Gender and Education in the Centre for Childhood and Youth Studies, Open University.

Jens Qvortrup – Professor of Sociology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology

In a rapidly changing world children and young people are subjected to a wide range of social, cultural and economic pressures which impact significantly on their everyday lives. At the same time, these pressures shape educational, social and welfare policies and practices in ways that have direct implications for how professionals work with and for children and young people.

This multidisciplinary conference aims to provide an opportunity to disseminate, discuss and explore research and practice that explore children and young people’s action, agency and participation in responding to such changes and social pressures.

The conference will be of special interest to practitioners working in the fields of Social Work, Youth Work and Education and academics and scholars in disciplines such as Childhood and Youth Studies, Criminology, Education Studies, Social Policy and Sociology.

Of particular interest to our supporters papers are invited that explore children and young people’s voices or challenge current policy and practice with regard to the following theme:

‘Youth and Community Work’

Youth and Community Work is facing increasing pressure to prove its worth, working with young people to deliver predetermined outcomes through time-limited contact. Government cuts to budgets continue to have devastating consequences for the most marginalised and vulnerable people and on the practice of youth work. Where services do remain youth workers are struggling to navigate the new terrain, whilst maintaining ethical integrity. However, throughout the history of youth and community work there is a distinct tradition of innovation and diversity with proactive and creative practitioners shaping and influencing agendas based on community needs. This conference will provide a space for youth and community workers, young people and academics to explore the context of youth and community work in contemporary society. Papers will be considered that aim to reflect critically on aspects of youth and community work practice.

Paper title and abstract of no more than 250 words should be submitted to Dave Merryweather at merrywd@hope.ac.uk

Please indicate which theme you wish your paper to be included in.

Closing date for abstracts is 28th February 2016.
– See more at:http://www.hope.ac.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/#sthash.67IpskSY.dpuf