social, civic and ethnic identity as well as young people’s values and attitudes, their living conditions, was drawn up based on the recommendations of the experts and the results of the focus groups. The variety of social and demographic issues included in the questionnaire allowed to analyse the achieved results in different aspects, comparing the level and forms of participation according to different features (ethnicity, sex, age, type of school, place of residence, and so on).
Youth’s Activity/Participation and Identity: Theoretical Approaches and Expert Opinions Youth’s Activity and Participation General Characteristics of Participation Participation is defined in the frame of the present research corresponding to the viewpoint of the National Development Programme regarding it as a wide concept referring not only to participation at the central government decision-making procedure but also towards processes taking place at the regional and municipal level, schools and private sector. This is a participation embracing all spheres of life, implemented in different ways and levels. Youth’s participation is one of the priorities in the youth policy in Latvia and Europe from 2003 to 2005. Its aim is to motivate young people to engage primarily in the local activities. A possibility to participate should be offered to the part of youth so far not involved in the activities of organizations. Participation as Informal Education Difference from Formal Education Education law distinguishes between formal and informal education. The first is connected with the process of learning; the informal supports the hobby education and youth organizations, and the latter differs from the formal education with more independence, one’s own initiative and involvement of different young people. One’s activity and contribution is not appraised separately. Difference from the Hobby Education Two main aspects are distinguished within informal education: hobby education and participation. Hobby education comprises participation at amateur art activities, various hobby groups, sports, extracurricular study groups; it is characterized by the development of youth’s skills and talents beyond official curriculum, based on one’s free choice. Participation comprises involvement in nongovernmental organizations and projects, which, in their turn, provide for active participation in organizations at school and municipal, government and international level. These activities, which are also extracurricular and based on one’s free
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choice, develop youth’s own initiative, organizing and communicative skills and abilities. Both aspects of informal education are important as mutually complementary, although more attention is conventionally paid to the hobby education as participation is often perceived as youth activities taking place per se, without financial, executive and methodological support from adults. Adults’ Role in Youth’s Activities A leader (an adult or a youth) is necessary for a youth organization to operate alongside with the support from the local authorities, or government, to provide the necessary resources. Experts have characterized it as "a place to gather plus an adult “to keep an eye” - without such an executive activities cease soon". It was emphasized that there should be one person at every local authority responsible for youth’s activities; this person does not have to do everything him/herself but she/he has to control the situation, be in charge, and help to realize young people’s ideas. Manifestation of Youth Activities Active and Inactive Youth Youth represents the society on the whole since there are more and less active people; and one cannot require and expect the same degree of activity from everyone. Involvement in different social activities is a free choice of a young person. Experts have pointed out that it is hard to draw a line between active and inactive youth, besides it is not necessary at all. Youth activities have to be accessible for everyone; division into active and inactive youth form a stereotype about definite standards of activity, establishing that only active persons have to take part in social activities. Representation of youth at communities would correspond to different groups of youth and their interests. Experts have characterized youth activities within different socio-demographic groups according to various characteristics: gender, age, ethnicity, social and economic status, place of residence. Involvement in Activities It is important to encourage youth initiative and participation in activities, and several important factors were pointed out. First, it is important for youth to know what is going on - thus access to information is vitally important. Second, invitation from friends to participate is another very important point since as, it was emphasized, young people get willingly involved in activities together with their friends. Third, an active life position is important, which is formed in the process of socialization and influenced by both school and family; it is crucial to sustain and encourage active attitudes. Kinds of Activities and Participation There are various youth’s activities; and it is hard to categorize them, though, the main spheres of manifestation of the youth’s activities can be further distinguished. First, youth social organizations and
Jauniešu identitātes veidošanās un līdzdalība