Black to the Future II : Sankofa approach to youth work in the African Diaspora community

The proposed project is the follow up of “'Black to the Future- A Sankofa approach to the exchange of youth work practice'. The project was an 18 month strategic partnership and intergenerational project for youth workers from the African Diaspora in Manchester, Rotterdam, Munich and Lisbon. The project was based on the principles of Sankofa which in the Twi language of Ghana translates as ‘go back and get it’. Through a series of study visits/ work shadowing activities and dialogue sessions, the project acknowledged the development of youth work practices with African Diaspora communities in these 4 cities. It explored earlier learning and knowledge, alongside contemporary models to enhance the current skills and competence of younger youth workers. The project methodologies draw on a number of interrelated processes from both global North and South which reflect the ways of supporting young people in communities which will also have a level of familiarity to some of the youth workers on the programme, including : Informal Education; Sankofa; Ubuntu and The U Process (Theory U). Some of the principles of the benefits of intergenerational working were also be reflected in this project such as: - the development of the capacity of communities - promoting social inclusion - the importance of preparing the generations - challenging stereotypes and ageism. The project delivered the following outcomes: - A programme of at least 8 national intergenerational sessions in home countries and 4 x 5 day transnational intergenerational study-visits and work shadowing opportunities for a total of 20 youth workers /managers aged 21+. • Increased skills, knowledge, competence levels and overall quality of work with African Diaspora youth (including migrants, refugees and asylum seekers)• Introduced youth workers to African and other creative non formal educational principles and processes such as ‘Ubuntu’, ‘Sankofa’, ‘World Café’, ‘Open Space Technology’ and practical tools such as ‘Digital Mapping’ • Recorded and mapped (using audio digital media / mapping tools) the history of youth work with African Diaspora young people in three cities and the informal educational and cultural practices which have been developed • Developed digital toolkit with case studies to share with African Diaspora youth workers and managers. • Enabled other transnational youth workers and their groups contribute to and access this learning through the use of technology • Helped youth workers better understand the changing nature of European African Diaspora identity and help promote European integration.