Report - Salto

40
Bridges for Recognition | Terms and Concepts - What do we mean when we say…
Lynne Chisholm said that recognition is to acknowledge that something is there and to place
a value on it. She drew the distinction between social recognition and codified or formal
recognition. Social recognition is related to status and esteem that individuals receive as a
result of participating, achieving or demonstrating something. Codified recognition is more
formal or official and is most often associated with assessment and certification. Clearly Social
and codified recognition are linked: The value of codified recognition can be reduced by low
social recognition and vice versa. Forms of codified recognition were increasingly important in
social society and at the same time there is a diversification of the ways in which achievement is
recognised and evidenced.
Both speakers referred to resources to help in the challenge of developing a common language
for recognition: Lynne Chisholm had produced a “Cheat Sheet” of terms used in the recognition
(see p. 41 below) and noted that it would need to be reviewed as the language – and the thinking
– evolved. Bryony Hoskins referred to the new youth policy knowledge platform at www.
youth-knowledge.net which would be launched at the Luxembourg Presidency Conference later
in 2005.
Lynne Chisholm also mentioned importance of the mediating bodies such as SALTO in promoting
the language of recognition. Such bodies can help to create neutral “game rules” and take
decisions. They can help to develop trust and confidence in recognition processes and terminology
and they can foster transparency and consistency – fulfilling the role of gate keeper for many.
The Cheat Sheet on Recognition Terminology (below) or Cedefop’s multilingual publication
on Terminology in Vocational Education and Training could provide a starting point to
understanding and negotiating meanings of different terms and possible realities behind it.
Linking Further…
Cheat Sheet on Recognition Terminology – available at
www.SALTO-YOUTH.net/BridgesForRecognition/
Cedefop’s “Terminology of Vocational Training Policy – A multilingual glossary for an enlarged
Europe” (Tissot, 2004): www.cedefop.eu.int
Youth Knowledge Platform of the Partnership on Youth Research between the Council of
Europe and the European Commission – www.youth-knowledge.net