“Talking Youth Work” is a series of podcast interviews to Youth Work experts and practitioners, that have a say when it comes to Innovation in Youth Work, either because they are using creative methods to empower young people, researching on youth trends, or responsible for Youth Policies at international level.
Like a “shot” of inspiration, all of our guests have a unique point of view about how can Youth Workers shake up, upgrade and innovate on their daily work. If you want to learn more about the approaches and methods presented in the podcast, you can look up step-by-step tutorials on our Tools section, read the Future Labs Handbook or even learn about training Youth Workers on these tools by using our open source Training Program. Enjoy!
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“Talking Youth Work” is a series of podcast interviews to Youth Work experts and practitioners, that have a say when it comes to Innovation in Youth Work, either because they are using creative methods to empower young people, researching on youth trends, or responsible for Youth Policies at international level.
Like a “shot” of inspiration, all of our guests have a unique point of view about how can Youth Workers shake up, upgrade and innovate on their daily work. If you want to learn more about the approaches and methods presented in the podcast, you can look up step-by-step tutorials on our Tools section, read the Future Labs Handbook or even learn about training Youth Workers on these tools by using our open source Training Program. Enjoy!
Queer Youth Work with Vika Matuzaitė, season 3, episode 6
The Talking Youth Work Podcast
48 minutes
9 months ago
Queer Youth Work with Vika Matuzaitė, season 3, episode 6
Hello dear listeners,
In this episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Vika Matuzaitė, a non-formal education trainer and facilitator, who enlightened us about the concept of Queer Youth and how youth workers can support Queer young people.
In today’s world, there can be significant confusion surrounding this topic, where gender, identity, and sexuality are often erroneously treated as interchangeable terms.
It also happens with other terminology. While the LGBTQI+ acronym encompasses certain aspects, the term ‘queer’ transcends gender and sexuality, encompassing a broader spectrum. Unfortunately, queer young individuals encounter numerous challenges stemming from the lack of understanding they often face, particularly within their own families and social circles. Society bombards them with messages suggesting that deviating from the norm is ‘wrong,’ leaving them feeling inadequate, isolated, and excluded.
Tragically, the queer population faces a higher risk of homelessness, addiction, and suicide. Therefore, it is crucial for everyone to gain a deeper comprehension of diversity and actively embrace the unique challenges faced by queer youth from a young age. Vika shared a poignant story about a 16-year-old who confided in her, expressing gratitude for being the first person with whom they could openly discuss their experiences of the world.
This example forces us to reflect on the essential role each of us plays in creating inclusive spaces where individuals can authentically express themselves and find acceptance for their experiences.
As someone’s grandmother wisely said, ‘We need create the space where people matter more than opinions.’ We encourage you to listen to this enlightening conversation and share your thoughts with us.
The EU LGBTI strategy: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52020DC0698
Youth worker’s resource: https://cara-friend.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/22307-CaraFriend-Youth-Worker-Booklet-LGBTQ-Final-screen.pdf
Working with kids with the topics of gender and sexuality (Compasito companion): http://ifm-sei.org/educational-resources-2/rainbow-resources/
A kick-start reading about queer theory: https://iconbooks.com/ib-title/queer-a-graphic-history/
Any ideas, comments and suggestions, email us at talkingyouthworkpodcast@gmail.com.
First published on Wednesday May 24, 2023
The Talking Youth Work Podcast
“Talking Youth Work” is a series of podcast interviews to Youth Work experts and practitioners, that have a say when it comes to Innovation in Youth Work, either because they are using creative methods to empower young people, researching on youth trends, or responsible for Youth Policies at international level.
Like a “shot” of inspiration, all of our guests have a unique point of view about how can Youth Workers shake up, upgrade and innovate on their daily work. If you want to learn more about the approaches and methods presented in the podcast, you can look up step-by-step tutorials on our Tools section, read the Future Labs Handbook or even learn about training Youth Workers on these tools by using our open source Training Program. Enjoy!
