Upload
youthnet
View
214
Download
1
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Â
Citation preview
2
Compiled on behalf of Youthnet by David Brown, FBIG
Facilitator (October 2013)
Thank you to all who contributed to this piece of work including
specifically, Maxine Green (Principal of the YMCA George Williams
College, London), David Brown (Director of the Church of Ireland
Youth Department), Karen Glass, (Youth worker), Geraldine Stinton
(Belfast YMCA Youth and Community Director), Youth work staff from
Youth Initiatives’ Belfast and Stephen Turner (National Director,
YMCA Ireland).
3
Contents
Overview of this report 4
The Youthnet Faith Based Interest Group 4
Summary of the day conference on “Spirituality and Youthwork” 5
Contribution from Maxine Green 6
Contribution from Stephen Turner 7
Contributions from participants on the day conference, including Karen Glass
Geraldine Stinton . 7
“Adolescence and Spirituality” - by David Brown 10
The Durham Accord on Spirituality in Youthwork. 16
Bibliography and further resources. 20
4
Overview of this report.
When Youthnet’s Faith Based Interest Group (FBIG) set out to address the role of
spirituality across youth work practice in Northern Ireland a number of committed
debates, both within and outside of the group itself, ensued. It was decided that a
one day conference on Youth Work and Spirituality would allow some time and
some space to consider the issue of spirituality within youth work. This focus seemed
all the more pertinent given the variance of views on the role of spirituality within
Youth work as evidenced by a sector wide debate experienced through the National
Occupational Standards consultation 2012.
This short paper therefore gives some insight into what emerged on this day (31st
January 2013), from the perspective of those who facilitated the event (Maxine
Green and David Brown) and those who participated. The discussion paper gives
various views and observations on the day itself and it is hoped further contributes to
the place of spirituality and spiritual practice within youth work methodology and
impact with young people themselves.
The FBIG continues to explore the role and place of spiritual development within
youth work practice and young people’s lives. We hope that this short report
provides the youth work sector across Northern Ireland with some material,
information and resources to further engage in this debate.
Youthnet Faith Based Interest Group
In 2002 Youthnet established a range of interest groups as a means of representing
the diversity of its membership and the principles of equity, diversity and
interdependence in policy development.
The faith based interest group is made up of a number of agencies who have
identified themselves as delivering faith based youth work, they meet regularly to
explore and debate issues pertinent to them.
In 2006 the group published a research paper on the scale, impact and extent of
faith based youth work in Northern Ireland. The group has also published a Charter
for Faith Based Youth Work.
A copy of the research report, charter and seminar report is available to download on
the Youthnet website at www.youthnetni.org.uk
5
Youth Work and Spirituality Seminar
January 2013
Summary
Drawn from the spectrum of youth work provision in Northern Ireland and with some
attendees from the National Youth Council of Ireland, the “Youth work and
Spirituality” Seminar hosted by Youthnet’s Faith Based Interest Group saw over fifty
Youth work practitioners and Youth managers attend.
Maxine Green from the George Williams YMCA College (London) as guest speaker
introduced the concept of spirituality within youth work, in particular emphasising the
importance of youth workers seeing themselves and their personal stories as
“spiritual tools” allowing for young people to become present to their own spiritual
well-being. Maxine’s style of personal reflection, story and an openness to hear from
others on this topic created space for dialogue and conversation and set an
experiential tone for the day conference. At the heart of Maxine’s message was the
understanding that unless young people (and indeed youth workers) are allowed to
explore their values, feelings and sense of what is “spiritual”, youth work can focus
almost entirely on young people and their behaviours rather than young people, their
values, beliefs and awareness of the “spiritual” which drive behaviour and
behavioural change.
The paper below, (presented on the day) argues that youth work has a “spiritual
default setting”. (Brown 2003).This discussion formed the second part of the day
conference and, as one participant noted, raised the conversation on spirituality
within a youth work context for agencies both explicit about a faith understanding of
this matter and those who, whilst not seeing spirituality arise out of a faith
perspective, still grapple with the “spiritual” as individual workers or organisations.
The conference produced questions, space for reflection, the opening of a wider
debate on this topic and for others a welcome opportunity to explore matters of
value, purpose and the holistic development of young people. The challenge facing
the Faith Based Interest Group on this topic is in articulating where Spirituality and
how Spirituality addresses young people in their being and becoming. It is hoped that
the thoughts, reflections and in the sharing of some resources on “spirituality” will
allow you, the reader, an insight into some of the debate and insights that emerged
through this day.
6
Reflections on the ‘Youth Work and Spirituality’ Seminar
“The Youthnet Spirituality Day was an exceptional training event. It was
exceptional in two ways.
Firstly, although many organisations say that they value spiritual development
of young people they do not necessarily act on this. The Youthnet Spirituality
day enabled like-minded people to meet, discuss, be informed and learn.
There was powerful use of the interests and skills of the group which had a
combined intention of seeking how to take this work forward collectively.
Secondly, the day was exceptional in that it took place in Ireland and enabled
people from different denominations and faiths to meet together to explore this
subject in a way that was honest and straightforward. It is a powerful testimony
to the wider world where people who are characterised and stereotyped as
being separate and against each other can come together to demonstrate the
importance of Spirituality for young people.
During the day Spiritual Development was explored as something for young
people of any faith and no faith as something that is intrinsic to our humanity
and at the heart of youth work practice. Many recent government policies have
concentrated on the behaviour of young people without considering the values
and beliefs they may hold. Adopting an approach which focuses on young
people’s spirituality brings a deeper, value led quality to the work which not only
informs and changes young people’s behaviours but enables them to reach
their true and rich potential.
The Youthnet Spirituality Day developed trust, understanding and an
awareness among practitioners present. An awareness that having a common
language and shared vision is something that takes time, bravery and softness
of heart. This was one step of the journey, maybe the next step is to work
respectively together towards an agreed statement. And, more importantly
work with young people from different faiths and denominations together in a
spirit of joint work where the spirit is acknowledged and celebrated.”
Maxine Green
Principal of YMCA
George Williams College London
7
“I was pleased to attend the Faith Based Group Spirituality day in January. As
someone who has been involved in working on Youth Work Policy for many
years, I was particularly impressed that the day focussed on spirituality rather
than what is often the Protestant default focus theology.
Youth Work in its grand statements of policy includes spirituality (look at the
draft Education Act as an example) but it steadfastly resists attempting to
engage in this area of education. The creation of learning space around
spirituality has been relegated to the faith based organisations and a liberal
license has been afforded to them to pursue this area without much
interference, reflection or assessment whether state funded or not.
This is not just an issue for non-formal education - a recent OFSTED Report
showed this to be the case in formal education as well, with the insightful
comment "not good enough because of weaknesses in teachers understanding
of the subject". The same can be said of youth workers. The lack of spirituality
understanding within youth workers is the key to lifting this learning area in both
the faith and the secular parts of the sector. Of course this is just symptomatic
of the wider malaise of suppressed spirituality and worthy of a greater debate.
So I applaud the group for raising the conversation - two challenges remain one
can we step out of our faith paradigms and share spirituality with others and
can we illustrate the benefits of spiritual development to the wider sector? Or is
one’s own spirituality too intimate, too private too vulnerable a place for
sharing? Let’s continue the conversation.”
J Stephen Turner
National Secretary
National Council of YMCAs Ireland
“The most helpful aspect of the day for me was unpacking the idea of
‘accompanying’ young people and what it can look like to join them on their
journey toward God. It was helpful to be reminded that God is in everything, so
when I'm working with young people, to realise that everything is spiritual and I
should treat it as such (for example: leading young people in a bible study is
just as holy as having a one-to-one conversation with a young person about
what is going on in their life).”
Participant
8
“I think spirituality in youth work already exists, particularly in terms of personal
development, developing self-awareness etc. More could be done in terms of
defining terms such as spirituality, which, in my view means so much more than
someone's faith or belief system.”
Participant
“For a NI context this area has a lot of baggage and needs careful
consideration. The Church in particular needs some consensus on what they
are doing in terms of spiritual development - is this about conversion or
something bigger? (Is spirituality and implicit or explicit element of youth work
practice and which should it be?)Someone should do a Msc or PHd in this!”
Participant
“Spirituality appears to have become an elusive part of youth work practice in
all but the faith-based sector as outcome lead youth service provision and
funding agencies appear to disregard the contribution of spiritual development
to the self-actualisation process. In a recent small scale evaluation of youth
workers’ understanding of spirituality and spiritual development, many youth
workers from all sectors were unclear what spirituality meant or defined it solely
in terms of God and religion. The vast majority of youth workers felt strongly
that spiritual development was important to child development, yet found it
difficult to articulate how they did this or confirm that their youth work practice
actively involved a spiritual dimension [Glass 2013].
Spirituality in youth work practice begins with a youth worker who
acknowledges their own spiritual journey. Spirituality is about who we are; our
values and beliefs, what we consider to be good or evil and right or wrong. As
we consider our lives, our communities, how we connect with others and how
our actions and inaction impacts on others, we develop a social conscience,
learn about faith and have an awareness of interdependence. For many
people, faith in God and religion helps to make sense of this concept.
Spirituality changes us if we take time to ask ourselves challenging questions
and reflect on the experiences we have.
Youth work settings need to provide an environment where young people are
actively encouraged to think about themselves, the consequences of their
actions, about others, their community and the world. Challenging domestic
9
and global issues shouldn’t be skirted round. Maxine Green (2000:34) asks
youth workers;
“If we don’t think Spirituality or Spiritual Development is important, or don’t
like the concept, how else do we describe the humanisation dimension of
the work and how can we express the self-actualisation process?”
Spirituality helps young people to grow in self-knowledge and knowledge allows
them to make informed choices. Spirituality must not be overlooked and
explored in the widest terms.”
Karen Glass, Youth worker
“I took Maxine at her word and found this the easiest of things to do on this day.
Maxine very quickly connected with us, connected with me. I found it extremely
easy to accompany her and to engage with relish in all that she shared with us.
I loved that she talked about youth workers as accompanists helping to create
a clear calm space, taking notice of relationships and having confidence and
belief in young people – taking the very ordinary and making them extra
ordinary experiences.
I loved her questions to us – gentle yet challenging. How do we bring health to
each other? What do we take notice of? How do my contributions uplift and
inspire people? How do we believe in and act on these beliefs?
Finding the language to define spirituality can be long and wide however for me
what was strengthened and reinforced was that it’s not necessarily the
definition that is important it’s the intentional, mindful, genuine way we are with
people that matters.”
Geraldine Stinton
Belfast YMCA
10
Adolescence and Spirituality
A discussion paper produced for the Faith Based Interest Group
conference on Spirituality, January 2013.
David Brown, Church of Ireland Youth Department.
Working Definition of a Youth work Spirituality:
“The practice of youth work has as its ‘default setting’, the spiritual well-being
of young people. As such, youth work is concerned with the flourishing of
young people allowing them gateways into wonder, acceptance compassion,
integrity, commitment and curiosity. Work with young people spiritually also
acknowledges the questions, doubts and despair many young people face. In
so doing a spirituality of youth work seeks to be alongside young people in all
of their being.”
Brown, 2003
“The practice of youth work has as its ‘default setting’ the
spiritual well-being of young people.”
According to the Owner’s Manual that accompanied the PC I am currently utilizing
(Sony Quick Step and Users Guide 2010:7), my PC, like all computers is equipped
with pre-programmed factory made software functions and operations. Whilst I’m
informed I can alter these, (such as the current screen saver) at any time I can rely
on the default settings of the machine to keep my system operational. So for
example when the hard drive of the PC failed, it could be restored to its original
“default” working mode.
It is the suggestion of this paper that work with young people has a default setting –
the spiritual well-being of young people. Whilst the profession of youth work may
employ a range of methodologies in its response to young people and their situations
(Leighton 1972, Jeffs and Smith, 1999, Young, 1999), youth work at its core seeks to
be about their well-being.
This “well-being” in essence is concerned with the spiritual well-being of young
people, what Macquarrie refers to as….
“….becoming a person in the fullest sense…”
(1972:46).
11
or the 2001 Ofsted (Schools Inspectorate for the UK), report noted as
“…the development of a sense of identity, self-worth, meaning and
purpose. In sum, spiritual development is the development of the
non-material element of a human being which animates and sustains
us….”
(Spirituality in Church Schools Seminar, 19.06.02)
“As such, youth work is concerned with the flourishing of young people….”
I have argued that youth work has (or ought to have) a “default” setting and that this
default mode is concerning the spiritual well-being of young people. However, there
follows a need from this value base, to work out an appropriate “praxis”. This praxis
is best exemplified in how youth work allows young people to “flourish” or as the
“Little Oxford Dictionary” (1980:223) recommends
“….grow vigorously; thrive, prosper.”
what as Roget’s Thesaurus (2000:537) adds
“….to be fruitful, be healthy….”
In using the term “flourish”, I am indebted to the work of Jeffs and Smith (1999:81)
who argue convincingly that a core value of informal education is….
“The promotion of well being. We must work for the welfare of all.
We must further human flourishing.
So youth work is spiritual if it seeks the “flourishing” of young people?
A number of comments need articulating at this point.
1. For young people to flourish, those who work with them must
flourish.
Within the community relations field in Northern Ireland (what is appropriately and
ironically referred to as “cross-community work”), there is a well worn mantra. This
mantra suggests that in exploring issues between the two main traditions in the
North of Ireland, an individual facilitator can only bring her or his group as far as the
individual themselves has engaged with the issues (1988 :12). This may be an
axiomatic statement with a particular emphasis on Northern Ireland, however I would
12
argue the same sentiment is true for how young people do or do not “flourish”
spiritually. The well being of young people will be better enhanced if an individual
youth work professional has “well-being”. Well in mind, body and what theologians
call soul. A word of caution at this moment seems appropriate. Without further
empirical study it would be wrong of me naively to suggest that a “well-being” youth
work professional automatically ensures the “well-being” of young people. As,
Arnold, Cooper and Robertson (1998:54) suggest a happy worker does not
necessarily imply a productive worker. However, a youth worker in touch with
themselves is more likely to encourage young people in their development be it
social, emotional, political or as in the case of this thesis, spiritual. After all, youth
work if nothing else is based on what a youth work professional is and not simply
what they do.
2. Encouraging young people to “flourish” allows a youthworker to
maintain a faith perspective.
Shelton quoting form the work of James Fowler (1995:66) puts forward the idea that
everyone believes in something. Therefore, for Fowler faith is seen as a verb not
simply a noun tied into specific dogmas or religious tenets. Rather, everyone has
faith which he articulates as being….
“….a person’s way of seeing him – or herself in relation to others
against a background of shared meaning and purpose.”
(1995:67)
An individual’s motivation for work with young people may be their faith – be it
Judaism, Islam, Christianity or for some, the faith of doing good with young people.
Young people can “flourish” in the view of the writer within an explicit faith based
context, or equally within a context where a liberal-humanist “faith” approach to
young people and their spirituality is shared as the “background”. Danger occurs
when either approach becomes fundamentalist in its nature and its seeking of
preordained outcomes.
“….allowing them gateways into wonder, acceptance,
compassion, integrity, commitment and curiosity. Work with
young people spiritually also acknowledges the questions,
doubts and despair many young people face.”
“In so doing a spirituality of youth work seeks to be alongside
young people in all of their being.”
13
Ultimately the practice of youth work can be viewed as being spiritual in that it
seeks…..
“….to be alongside young people in all of their being.”
Two words in the above sentence therefore have deep resonance on this subject
matter and are worth highlighting the words “alongside”, and “being”. Green and
Christian (1998:18) in one of the few writings relating to youth work and spirituality
argue convincingly that youth work can make a unique contribution to the spiritual
development of young people; as workers can and do “accompany” young people.
Green and Christian, offer the following definition of accompanying….
“The difference between accompanying and ordinary day-to-day
relationships is the quality of the encounter and the cost for the
accompanist and the accompanied. The quality of the relationship
and, the degree of careful attention in listening and supporting
require energy and commitment, especially from the accompanist.”
(1998:26)
It would be true to say that youth work has always sought to be about the “day-to-
day” relationships between young people and workers. Green and Christian develop
this idea further by suggesting that the spiritual (or physical, emotional etc)
development occurs when workers offer themselves fully in relationship therefore
creating the context for young people to explore their life, questions, hopes, even for
some faith. To accompany therefore or as I have suggested to “be alongside” young
people in their spiritual development is both the professions greatest offering to the
young and indeed deepest challenge.
Ultimately, the aim of a youth worker’s vocation (this word being deliberately used) is
about young people and their “being”. In using the term “being” I have deliberately
rejected the concept of young people “becoming”. This is not simply a tautological
argument. Whilst this chapter has developed the thinking of young people (indeed
all ages) developing spiritually, which as Macquarie’s definition reminds us to
“become more fully human”, youth work begins with young people where they are,
not simply with what they may become. A spirituality of youth work therefore begins
with young peoples “being” or for that matter with a youth work professionals “being”.
In recognising one’s “being”, one’s “becoming” may in time occur. It is the view of
this writing that youth work needs not only to recognise, name and articulate how it
works spiritually with young people, but crucially how the profession acknowledges
young people and the spiritual “being” as a universal given, opposed to the exclusive
domain of the world religions.
14
3. Youth work organisations need to develop (or own) a
spirituality.
In light of the discussion around youth work as a profession having a spiritual value
base, it may be time for Youth Organisations across Ireland to focus on their core
purpose and activity with young people. All organisations if Senge et al is to be
believed can aspire to be “learning organisations”….
“where people continually expand their capacity to create the results
they truly desire, where new and expansive patterns of thinking are
nurtured….and where people are continually learning to see the
whole together.”
(www.infed.org/Senge)
Argyris and Schon note that within the context of organisational learning, learning
usually requires the detection and correction of error. To aid therefore this process,
Argyris and Schon developed the theory of “Double-loop learning”….
“Double-loop learning occurs when error is detected and corrected in
ways that involve the modifications of an organisation’s underlying
norms, policies and objectives.”
(www.infed.org/thinkers)
Spirituality as part of what it is to manage, and as inherent within human nature,
requires organisations to re-examine the “governing variables” by which any
organisation operates. To quote from a badly failed political mantra of the 90’s – to
go back to basics. What governing variables underpin the practice of youth work
practitioners and mangers? Does a spirituality of being human or a spirituality of an
organisation have anything to say on this matter? It would follow therefore that a
recommendation of this writing would be for all organisations within the scope of this
study to review their “governing variables” not only to understand how spirituality is
present but to continue with their learning, development and “effectiveness”.
Bibliography
Arnold, J., Cooper, C.L., Robertson, I.T. (1998) Work Psychology Peasron
Education.
Christian, C., Green, M. (1998) Accompanying young People On Their Spiritual
Quest Church House Publishers.
Jeffs, T., Smith, M.K. (1999) Informal Education 2nd Ed. Education Now Publishing
Cooperative Ltd.
15
Kirkpatrick, B. (ed) (2000) Rojet’s Thesaurus Penguin Books.
Leighton, J.P. (1975) The Principles and Practice of Community Youthwork, 2nd Ed.
Chester House Publications.
Macquarrie, J. (1972) Paths in Spirituality S.C.M. Press Ltd.
Shelton, M.C. (1995) Adolescent Spirituality Crossroad Publishing Company.
Swannell, J (ed) (1983) The Little Oxford Dictionary Clavendon Press.
Young, K. (19990 The Art of Youth work Russell House Publishing.
Other Sources
Hartland, I. (19.06.02) Spirituality in Church School Seminars, Diocese of
Canterbury.
www.infed.org Smith, M. (2001) Peter Senge and the Learning Organisation.
www.infed.org Smith, M.(2002) Transforming Youth work.
www.infed.org Smith, M.K. (2001) Theories of Action, double Loop Learning and
Organizational Learning.
16
The Durham Accord
A starting point for thinking about the place of spirituality in work
with young people
This statement has been developed by a collaboration of youth workers, educators
and researchers who gathered for conversation at Durham University (St John’s
College) on May 17-18, 2012, and informed by an open event held to discuss these
issues with practitioners on May 17th. This statement is written with recognition of
the wide range of debates within the wider field about the meaning of spirituality,
whether it should have a place within work with young people, and if so, what this
place should be. Indeed, the group who wrote it hold diverse perspectives and
identities in terms of their own religious/secular worldviews, and in terms of how
these are applied in their own lives and practice when working with young people.
The purpose of this document is to create an informed point of reference within these
debates. Rather than trying to be definitive, it seeks to offer a constructive starting
point for future dialogue and debate over the meaning and importance of spirituality
within holistic work with young people.
Spirituality is a word that we use to point towards the:
Development of people’s understanding of meaning and purpose within life;
Cultivation of an inner life and engagement with the world that is characterised
by compassion; wonder; gratitude; the struggle for justice, reconciliation,
peace-making and right living.
Sense of the sacred and the importance of connecting in a relational and
respectful way to ourselves, to others, to the environment and, for many, also to
the transcendent.
The process of spiritual development will lead to a person having a greater
connectedness and relatedness in these respects.
As signatories to this Durham Accord, we believe that:
Enabling all young people to develop in these ways, and to explore the choices
that they make with others, is important. This is especially the case within our
contemporary social context which is dominated by limited notions of progress
and achievement and where people struggle to articulate shared alternative
values and meaning.
17
These forms of spiritual development are essential for individuals to fully
embrace the wide range of human experiences. Without this, people may have
a diminished understanding of humanity. As with many areas of development,
we believe spiritual experiences and encounters in adolescence are an
essential foundation for their future holistic development as people.
Faith communities are important as dynamic centres of living wisdom
tradition, where spiritual development may be nurtured with recourse to a legacy
that draws on centuries or millennia of reflection and practice. However, we
recognise that some particular expressions of belief and practice within some faith
traditions and communities may inhibit as well as promote spiritual development, and
in the worst cases result in forms of abuse. Therefore, care and discernment is
required in the process of enabling young people to access potential resources of
faith traditions in ways that are safe and appropriate to their autonomy, rights and
overall well-being. Spirituality may also be recognised and described in
various aspects of secular life and traditions, with particular reference to the
capacity to reflect with meaning on the relationship with the self, others, society and
the environment, and on the various joys, hopes, successes and fulfilment of life, as
well as in regard to challenges, losses, disappointments and failures.
It is important for us to explore new vocabularies and understandings about
spirituality that relate to our secular and religiously plural societies, of which
this statement is just one example. In particular, we recognise the diversity of
different understandings that exist in terms of particular beliefs about how spirituality
is best developed, and what (if any) beliefs and practices might be important within
this.
As a result, we believe it is important that:
All young people are able to access particular support in considering and
constructing a sense of the spiritual that has both meaning for their lives and
enables their full participation in relation to others around them and wider
society.
All those working with young people need to take seriously the responsibility to
help them to engage constructively with the range of understandings of
spirituality around them. Young people should be encouraged to critically reflect
on the views of spiritual development held by others, as they engage in their
own development.
18
This may include the particular beliefs and traditions of faith communities,
especially where young people choose to be part of the youth work undertaken
by those communities. Institutions that provide youth work training, and
organisations that employ professionals to work with young people, also need
to ensure that students and/or employees are adequately educated, supported
and guided in this regard.
Reflective practice in all work with young people will be enriched by
acknowledging that spiritual development (understood in a broad and inclusive
way such as this) is a foundational and underpinning concept for all work with
young people. It should not be considered an appended optional extra that is
only considered important to those working within particular settings or within
particular belief frameworks.
These issues would benefit from further debate and research within the
development of those working with young people and within related policy, so
as to increase the profile of these important issues and develop further
constructive debate about how they can best be addressed within this work.
Signatories to the Durham Accord:
Dr Phil Daughtry
Head of School, Humanities and Social Sciences, Tabor Adelaide (South Australia),
Visting Fellow with St John’s College, Durham University (Easter term, 2012)
Maxine Green
Author and youth work consultant
Peter Hart
PhD candidate, Durham university, (research topic: best practice youth work
commonalities in secular and faith-based models), Youth Support Worker, Hartlepool
Borough Council
Revd David Howell MA (Oxon)
Representing the Christian youth work constituency - in association with Churches
Together in England / Churches Together in Britain and Ireland
Dr Andrew Orton
Lecturer, Community and Youth Work, Durham University
Gopi Patel
Spiritual educator, Co-ordinator of the International Youth Forum, Brahma Kumaris
19
Nigel Pimlott
National Youth Work Development Advisor, Frontier Youth Trust, PhD Candidate,
Staffordshire University (research topic: the place of faith-based youth work in civil
society)
Soo Redshaw
Independent Experiential Educator, Facilitator, Coach in the world of personal
development
20
Bibliography / Resources for further study
Astley, J. and Wills, N. (1999) Adolescent “faith” and its development Youth and
Policy No.65. Leicester: NYA
Christian, C. (1999) Spirituality in the Context of Multi-cultural Youth Work Youth
and Policy No.65 Leicester: NYA
Daughtry, P. (2012). The benefits of an integrated sacred-secular approach to youth
worker training in National Youth Sector Conference: Interrupting Transmission
Dunnell, T. (2006) Taking Time Waiting for Green Shoots A look at the basic
elements of spirituality and spiritual development Connect Spiritual Development
Project: FYT Publications
Felderhof, M.C. (2012) Educating Persons: The Role of Religious Education. Paper
given at The International Symposium on Religion, Spirituality and Education for
Human Flourishing February 2012 - Co-Convened by Guerrand-Hermès Foundation
for Peace and UN Alliance of Civilizations ‘Education about Religions and Beliefs’
Project http://ghfp.info/papers.aspx
Green, M. & Christian, C. (1998). Accompanying young people on their spiritual
quest: Church House Publishing
Green, M. (2006) A Journey of Discovery: Spirituality and Spiritual Development in
Youth Work Leicester: NYA
Green, M. (1999) The youth worker as converter in Banks, S. (ed) Ethical Issues in
Youth Work London: Routledge.
Hull, J. M. (1999) Spirituality, Religion, Faith Youth and Policy No.65. Leicester:
NYA
Ven. Dr. Jinwol Y. H. Lee (2012), Seon (Zen) Practice for Spiritual and Humanistic
Education, Paper given at The International Symposium on Religion, Spirituality and
Education for Human Flourishing February 2012 - Co-Convened by Guerrand-
Hermès Foundation for Peace and UN Alliance of Civilizations ‘Education about
Religions and Beliefs’ Project http://ghfp.info/papers.aspx
21
Katz, B. (2012), Three Critical Factors: The Role of Context, Teacher Preparedness
and Language in Shaping Teaching about Religion Pedagogy and Implementation
, Paper given at The International Symposium on Religion, Spirituality and
Education for Human Flourishing February 2012 - Co-Convened by Guerrand-
Hermès Foundation for Peace and UN Alliance of Civilizations ‘Education about
Religions and Beliefs’ Project http://ghfp.info/papers.aspx
King, U. (1998) Spirituality in a postmodern age in King, U. Faith and Praxis in a
Postmodern Age (ed) London: Cassell
King, U. (2009) The Search for Spirituality. Norwich: Canterbury Press,
Pimlott, N. (2005). Inspire Too, Frontier Youth Trust: Scripture Union
Shashoua, S. (2012), Intercultural Education and Encounter as a Humanisation
Process
Young, K (1999) Youth worker as guide, philosopher and friend in Ethical Issues in
Youth Work Banks, S (ed) London: Routledge
http://www.faithmakesadifference.co.uk/
http://www.gordontraining.com/free-workplace-articles/learning-a-new-skill-is-easier-
said-than-done/
22
Further attendees views on the Spirituality Day…
What was most helpful aspect of the day for you?
Networking with a range of groups working from a Christian perspective
I enjoyed some of Maxine Green’s stories and experiences, particularly her stories
around experience leading to questions about life
What did you take away from the day?
The idea of accompanying young people in the exploration of who they are.
Accompanying- holding space or filling the gaps- the Indian drummer example
Spirituality is not owned by Christianity
Having attended the conference what are your reflections on spirituality as a key
aspect of youth work practice?
There is a spiritual part to all human beings, so that must be tapped into, pushed,
challenged and awakened.
Formative & Transformative are important to consider, because one is about
awakening the idea that we carry a spiritual part of us and the other is providing
experience to be transformed spiritually.
23
Appendix
Some reflections on Spirituality:
Spirituality is a state of connectedness to life.
It is an experience of being, belonging and caring.
It is sensitivity and compassion, joy and hope.
It is harmony between the innermost life and the outer life,
or the life of the world and the life of the universe.
It is the supreme comprehension of life in time and space,
the tuning of the inner person with the great mysteries
and secrets that are around us.
It is the belief in the goodness of life
and the possibility for each human person
contribute goodness to it.
It is the belief in life as part of the eternal stream of time,
that each of us came from somewhere and is destined to
somewhere, that without such belief there could be no prayer,
no meditation, no peace, and no happiness.
U Thant, former General Secretary of the United Nations
Spirituality is experience of the sacred other which is accompanied by feelings of
wonder, joy, love, trust and hope. Spirituality enhances connectiveness within the
self, with others and with the world. Spirituality illuminates lived experience.
Spirituality may be expressed in relationships, prayer, personal and community
rituals, values, service, action for justice, connection with the earth. Spirituality may
be named in new and re-defined ways, or through the beliefs, rituals, symbols,
values and stories of religious traditions.
(Engebretson 2007 pp206-7 with Daughtry’s emphasis)
24
The Journey
Inwards
To be valued and to value herself
To be encouraged to explore thoughts, feelings and experiences and to draw her
own conclusions
Outwards
To value others
To relate satisfactorily to friendship, and other groups.
To plan and take action on issues which affect her life.
To develop an empathy with the needs of others – locally, nationally and
internationally.
Downwards
To understand the ways in which the environment is being abused
To examine her attitudes and concerns.
To consider action to protect and enhance the environment.
To value the creation and the earth.
Upwards
To discover something of their deepest, truest self ‘soul’.
To begin to answer the questions, ‘What am I here for?’ ‘What is life about?’
To come to an understanding of what they mean by the word ‘God’
From Spiritual Development by John Lee
25
(the) Meaning of spirituality is various in different cultures. However, spirituality is
equivalent to „Yeongseong‟ in Korean. Yoengseong means the nature (seong) of
spirit (yeong). It indicates nature or character of metaphysical or mental aspect of
humanity. It can refer to an ultimate immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a
person to discover the essence of one’s being; or the supreme values and meanings
one seeks. Meditation, contemplation and prayer seem major spiritual practices to
develop an individual’s inner life. Through the spiritual practice one could experience
enlightenment or connectedness with the ultimate reality or nature. Spirituality is
often experienced as a source of inspiration or orientation in life. In general, many
religions have regarded spirituality as a core aspect of religious experience. In the
world, spirituality has been much related with humanistic character, such as
contentment, harmony, compassion, and benevolent care for others. Spiritual
experiences transcend materialist views of the world, without necessarily accepting
belief in divine being.
Meditation and mindfulness help people for fulfillment of humanity and peace without
any religious explanation. In this context, spirituality may be a matter of sublimation
in mind to be pure and bright. Spirituality has been needed whenever one seeks the
meaning and value of life. Spirituality leads inner practice and outward service.
Compassion is often understood as the manifestation of spiritual attainment.
Ven. Dr. Jinwol Y. H. Lee (2012), Seon (Zen) Practice for Spiritual and
Humanistic Education, Paper given at The International Symposium on
Religion, Spirituality and Education for Human Flourishing February 2012
http://ghfp.info/papers.aspx