Youth work in Ukraine: new approaches to the strategic sector of social policy

Abstract

The article highlights new approaches to youth work, training of youth workers as strategic direction of social policy reform in the context of the draft Law of Ukraine On Youth. Current practice indicates a number of topical issues related to the preparation and formation of professional skills and social competencies of social workers – future implementers of youth policy. In particular, the practice demonstrates the failure of existing forms of training, which are now mostly limited academic training specialists in the social and socio-educational fields in universities. Modernity requires wider distribution of non-traditional and innovative forms of formation of personnel potential in the field of youth work. An example of an innovative approach to youth issues in general and youth training personnel reform is a new draft Law of Ukraine On Youth, developed by a group of MPs, together with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and experts UNICEF resuscitation reform package. Key areas of the bill are: employment, housing and youth building support young people in difficult circumstances, cultural development, health and physical development, legal protection. Along with the traditional preliminary legal instruments in the field of youth policy, such as informal youth associations, youth organizations, national-patriotic education of youth and others. The draft appears a number of terms that make the content innovative potential of social youth policy, namely vulnerable young people, youth work, youth participation and the Council, Youth Advisory Council, a youth worker, youth center, informal education of young people and others.