Young Leaders as a role model for youth at risk and youth policy: A study on individual effects of a pedagogical training programme in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in the Netherlands

Abstract

This study reports on a practical experiment with a pedagogical training programme for youth from disadvantaged neighbourhoods and the results for participating youth. The programme was implemented at seven youth work locations and was aimed at stimulating youth’s development towards self-conscious people who take responsibility in their neighbourhoods. After a short discussion of the programme’s theoretical foundations in social learning theory, resilience of youth at risk and the position of role models, this study provides indications for the programme’s encouraging function regarding competence development of participants and their social activation. These results offer interesting leads for a consolidation of youth policy directed at social integration of youth from disadvantaged neighbourhoods.