Report - Salto

36
Bridges for Recognition | Milestones in European Recognition - Evolution
The working Group on Engagement/Commitment is led by France and includes representatives
of 12 Member States. Its purpose was/is the “valorisation” of the commitment of young people
and to ensure a better recognition of their engagement. Its main activities were awarding prizes
for good practice in engagement projects and the exchange of good practice and information on
validation systems. The group is now reflecting on the application of the common principles
to youth, support for the political debate and on the recommendations leading to Council
Resolution under the Austrian Presidency in the first semester of 2006.
Hans Joachim Schild identified Bridges for Recognition as the most up to date milestone. The
conference should be seen as a follow-up to Bridges for Training in 2001, with the aims of
increasing visibility of the value of youth work; discussing ways to formal and social recognition;
exchanging good practice and laying the foundations for further action.
Together these milestones created a picture of a lot of work being done, particularly at the policy
level, and provided an appropriate introduction to the workshops on good practice which
followed. They demonstrated commitment at the political level and highlighted the need for
the bridges to be built at all levels from political to operational.