Abstract
AbstractThis chapter provides insight into the rationale, background and key concepts of the book and will discuss relevant theoretical considerations, contexts and discourses. The complexity surrounding the conceptual understanding of active citizenship, adult education and vulnerability will be considered, and approaches towards achieving a shared understanding of the nature of adult education and lifelong learning will be addressed within this chapter. In this book, the concept of active citizenship is used as a conceptual lens to understand the role of adult education in including young adults in active social, political and economic participation and engagement. The findings indicate that the social, economic and political dimensions of active citizenship, encompassing the development of social competences, labour market skills as well as civic and political participation, have been related to various educational initiatives (programmes) to engage young adults in active participation. The chapter will open the discussion of the cross-national complexity and interdependencies between adult education, social inclusion and active participatory citizenship, which underpin the dialogue offered in the seven contributions within this book.
Highlights
Promoting the active participation and inclusion of young adults is a complex and multi-dimensional process, and might be facilitated or undermined through different contexts, including formal and informal environments, such as workplace, education and community settings
The project aimed to answer the following research question: What policies and practices are needed in the field of adult education to include young adults at risk of social exclusion in active participatory citizenship in Europe? The research question endeavoured to address both the complex issues of social exclusion and the multi-dimensional concept of active citizenship, with a specific focus on young adults (16–30 years of age) facing different types of vulnerabilities
In order to address the complex issues raised by the research question, both desk and empirical research were undertaken. This covered undertaking a review of the relevant literature, including research publications, policy papers and materials related to various educational initiatives to facilitate the inclusion of young adults in vulnerable positions
Summary
Promoting the active participation and inclusion of young adults is a complex and multi-dimensional process, and might be facilitated or undermined through different contexts, including formal and informal environments, such as workplace, education and community settings. This is exemplified by different factors, especially in the case of integration programmes, which usually lack the flexibility to accommodate the needs of all individuals related to their specific situations This compilation offers a collection of chapters discussing country- and region- specific developments in relation to national approaches to the social inclusion and active citizenship of young adults at risk of vulnerability, in selected European countries and one non-EU country, Turkey. The policies and practices for AE and active citizenship have been influenced strongly by the humanitarian migration across the EU as well as by the implications of the 2008 economic crisis, which resulted in the rise of unemployment across Europe Both these trends have contributed to the risks of exclusion and disengagement for a number of young adults who find themselves in vulnerable positions, for example as migrants or NEETs (not in education, employment or training). Fostering the active citizenship of young people, both directly and indirectly, is an area where many AE programmes overlap, and this has become a core approach to integration
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