This publication is dedicated to the memory of our dear friend and colleague Erika Munková, who was the initiator and inspiration for the project “Youth Lifestyles, Deviation and Prevention”. Erika is sorely missed but fondly remembered by all who knew her: youth policy makers and youth work professionals across Slovakia and throughout Europe, and countless young people whose lives she changed for the better. Requiescat in Pace INTRODUCTION (p. 6) NEET and SCHOOL DROP OUT (PUSH-OUT) - IL-LEGALITY (p.120) Youth Lifestyles, Deviance and Prevention: – Italian National Framework (p. 124) - The Handbook, Who this Handbook is for, Limits and Potential CONCEPT DEFINITIONS (p. 128) PROJECT (p. 8) Key Concepts: Project, Phases, Partnership - Deviance, Vulnerability, Lifestyles, Living Conditions, Prevention Youth Lifestyles, Deviance and Prevention: the European Dimension Phases and Themes PARTNERS I.C. of the Partner organisations: ACTIVITIES (p. 9) - ASOCIACIA ACVČ SR (Slovakia - Banská Bystrica) (p. 134) (Activity Index) - MOMENTUM WORLD (UK - London) (p. 138) - DIGG’OUT (The Netherlands - Almere) (p. 142) THEMES and NATIONAL CASES - FITT (Romania - Timisoara) (p. 144) Thematic Insights: - EURO-NET (Italy - Potenza) (p. 148) ADDICTION - Young people facing Addictions (p. 66) – Slovak National Framework (p. 70) DEPRESSION, LONELINESS - The shadows of depression and loneliness on Young People (p. 74) - Dutch National Framework (p. 80) BULLYING - The Law of the Strongest? (p. 84) - UK National Framework (p. 87) CYBERBULLYING - The Hidden Weaknesses and Frailties (p. 89) - Romania National Framework (p. 90) ROAD SAFETY and YOUNG DRIVERS - The road to safety (p. 94) - UK National Framework (p. 98) TEENAGE MOTHERHOOD & SEX EDUCATION - Educating, Informing, Forming (p. 102) - Romania National Framework (p. 106) NUTRITIONAL DISORDERS - Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge-eating (p. 112) - Romania National Framework (p. 116) In the design of this Handbook, we have considered, above all, two closely related factors: - the use of this book as a practical tool for all those (educators, youth/social workers, INTRODUCTION trainers, young multipliers, group leaders, etc.) who wish to set up educational initiatives focused on the prevention of youth deviance and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. Youth Lifestyles, Deviance and Prevention - the sharing of good practices and the acquisition of new skills and competences related to the fight against specific problems such as alcohol and drug abuse, unintended mother- hood/ early pregnancies, depression-loneliness/suicides, nutritional disorders, gaming and gambling, bullying and cyber-bullying, delinquent phenomena, dangerous driving, and so on. The Handbook There are currently only a small number of research documents and works such as manuals, kits, brochures, or studies that systematise non-formal education tools for those who work with disoriented young people, to overcome risky behaviour and encourage healthy life- styles. Although proactive methods are often used in the field of prevention, these tend to Limits and Potential lack systemic support within a coherent and well-defined educational framework. We are well aware that we are facing very complex problems whose elaboration and solutions (when possible) require the intervention of highly qualified experts specialized in the medical This Handbook condenses some of the most significant approaches used by five European and psychological field. However, based on the experiences we have gained in working with partner organisations in the field of deviance prevention, as well as some initiatives, activities, young people we are also convinced of the potential and power of non-formal education as working methods and practical tools, essentially based on Non-Formal Education principles, an additional tool for the prevention of deviance. For this reason, this work should be seen as demonstrated during the six phases of the project. a pedagogical tool for educators that will not only integrate with other kinds of educational action aimed at young people at various levels in our society, but also, where necessary, fill The goal of this work is to provide some reference points relating to policies and measures to some of the gaps in current provision. tackle some of the issues faced by the most disadvantaged youth Europe (which we refer to here as “deviance”) and, above all, practical tools for all those who work to promote healthy lifestyles to the younger generations. What has particularly inspired the five partners of Youth Lifestyles, Deviance and Prevention is the shared commitment to improving the living conditions of young people in their own contexts - especially in terms of educational opportunities and the raising of personal aware- ness - in order to prevent them from falling victim to various forms of addictive behaviour and other harmful lifestyles. Overall, this Handbook is intended to be an open access resource for all those who try to avoid the spiral of heavy consequences and negative repercussions that deviance often creates, not only for individual young people but also their peer groups, families and communities. Who this Handbook is for This Handbook is for: this Handbook is intended as a practical resource for youth workers and organisations active in the youth field. It reproduces the various case studies and activities seen and experienced during the 6 phases of the project. The content of the Handbook is therefore a synthesis of the “know-how” gained from the activities and methods that the five partner organizations use in their work with young people. All practice must also be based on a solid theoretical and policy foundation. We have there- fore included definitions of key concepts and brief references to policies and measures to combat youth deviance implemented at national and European level (EU and CoE). Although these are not presented in detail, practitioners are encouraged to find out more from the publications and data produced by the relevant authorities. 6 7 PROJECT ACTIVITIES Project, Phases, Partnership Activity Index Youth Lifestyles, Deviance and Prevention: European Dimension This project has brought together five experienced European partners who operate in very ADDICTIONS and HEALTHY LIFESTYLES different contexts, but who share a common commitment to direct or indirect action to • Unfinished sentences (p. 10) prevent youth deviance (such as addictions and other forms of unhealthy lifestyles) harmful • The Pyramid of Values (p. 12) for the young people’s health and their social relations. • Take a stand for... (duel of opinions) (p. 14) • Reproductive Health Club (p. 16) All partners in this project are: - developing their activities in the field of non-formal education DEPRESSION ISOLATION PREVENTION of JUVENILE SUICIDES - actively engaged in promoting healthy lifestyles (fighting against harmful behaviour, • True colours (p. 18) habits, activities) and practices that aim to promote the inclusion in society of particularly • Animal talk (p. 20) vulnerable individuals and groups (inclusive practice is seen as an antidote to deviance, an • Get the monkey (p. 22) effective prevention tool and a means of encouraging full participation and active citizenship) • Focus on (p. 24) - participating actively in intersectoral working groups that contribute to shaping youth • The nerd corner (p. 26) policies and specific measures to tackle deviance at the local and national level. NEET – DROP OUT/PUSHED OUT - IL-LEGALITY Phases and Themes • Neet action planning (p. 28) ACVČ SR and RCM – KOŠICE (Slovakia), • Drop out… job search (p. 30) - sharing Expectations, definition of Themes for each phase, activities’ Planning • Networking tools (p. 32) • Se vuoi… (If you want…) (p. 34) DIGG’OUT - ALMERE (The Netherlands) • Illegality (p. 38) - Depression, Loneliness and other Psychological diseases, Youth Suicide - Local policies and measures: prevention strategies based on territorial networks ROAD SAFETY – CYBER-BULLYING (Inter-institutional and Interdisciplinary work groups) • Online safety (inspired by the case of young Breck Bednar) (p. 42) • Cyberbullying: the gaze of others (p. 44) ACVČ SR – Centrum voľného času STARA L’UBOVNA, (Slovakia) • The honest truth (p. 46) - Different kinds of Addiction (drugs, alcoholism, smoking, gambling online), Prevention • Time for tea (p. 48) of Sexually Transmitted Diseases • Lifestyle inspiration - world-café plus (p. 50) - Peer Education: how to train teenagers to help teenagers, how to set up workshops • Bullying: the truth about bullying (p. 52) focused on prevention addressed to young people BULLYING – EARLY PREGNANCIES/UNWANTED MOTHERHOOD MOMENTUM WORLD - LUTON (UK) • Pictures at an exhibition (p. 54) - Bullying, Cyber-Bullying & Online Safety and various forms of Internet Addiction • The shape of things to come (p. 56) (eg Gambling & Gaming, mobile phones and other electronic devices) • Circle of influence (p. 58) - Road safety (including dangerous driving) • Mythbusters (p. 60) • The baby needs new shoes (p. 62) FITT – TIMISOARA (Romania) – Conference • Wallpapered meetings (p. 64) - Nutritional Dysfunctions (Obesity, Bulimia, Anorexia); - Sexual Education to combat the phenomenon of Teenage Pregnancy EURONET – POTENZA (Italy) - NEET phenomenon and responses (preventing dropping out, vocational orientation, citizenship’s promotion); IL-LEGALITY, supporting young people at a crossroads 8 9 TOPIC Class TITLE GOOD ADDICTIONS and size UNFINISHED PRACTICE HEALTHY LIFESTYLES 16-32 SENTENCES