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Global Youth Action

Our overall aim is to embed global youth work principles in all non-formal education policy and practice. We aim to maximise young people’s personal and social development and equip them with the critical understanding, skills and confidence to actively participate in dialogue and action on global issues.

The objectives of the DEA youth programme are:

• Policy: To help foster an enabling policy environment for youth organisations to develop Global Youth Work (GYW)
• Practice: To increase the diversity and effectiveness of GYW practice through a strategy of learning and support
• Dialogue and debate: To stimulate on-going dialogue and debate about GYW and related issues amongst stakeholders and wider society

In January 2006 we launched Global Youth Action, a three-year project funded by the Big Lottery Fund which will make a significant contribution to meeting these objectives. The project is being delivered in partnership with five Development Education Centres (DECs) who are building their capacity to deliver and support GYW regionally, and with Minorities of Europe who will help to ensure the involvement of Black and minority ethnic (BME) young people and organisations. Find out more...

There are three specific groups that help support and develop the DEA youth programme and global youth work in general the Youth Committee, Joint Agencies Group and a Young People’s Network.

• The DEA Youth Committee comprises representatives from 14 member organisations and has three key roles: to support and monitor the work of the DEA youth programme, to develop GYW policy and practice at local and national levels and to ensure wider youth sector involvement in the development of GYW.


• The Joint Agencies Group (JAG) is an informal group of development, environment, international and youth work organisations primarily involved in producing resources for GYW and developing events and campaigns for young people. The group has three main functions: mutual support, sharing information and networking. JAG members do not have to be DEA members. If you are interested in joining, contact James Edleston (details below).


• The Young People’s Network (YPN) is made up of young people involved in global youth action projects who bring a youth perspective to the development of GYW and the GYA project. They are trained in peer-education, lead groups in their local area and are supported locally by DECs.

Questions, comments, ideas, etc. are always welcome. Contact the DEA's Youth Officer James Edleston, tel: 020 7922 7936, email: james.edleston@dea.org.uk.