Commonwealth Higher Education Consortium for Youth Work
Overview
Youth workers have an essential, but often under-recognised and under-resourced, role in engaging and supporting young people to be positive and productive citizens who contribute to national peace and prosperity. With more than 60% of the population of the Commonwealth aged under 30, the Commonwealth’s investment in the education and training of youth workers has been an important strategy for 40 years.
The Commonwealth Secretariat supports the growth of an enabling environment for young people by supporting the higher level qualifications of youth work through the Commonwealth Higher Education Consortium for Youth Work (CHEC4YW). It fosters the education and training of youth workers through a bachelor’s degree programme made available as an Open Educational Resource (OER) to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
The HEIs, as members of the CHEC4YW receive technical support for the optimal delivery of the bachelor’s degree in Youth Work. The degree is delivered mainly through Open and Distance Learning (ODL), ensuring it is inclusive and accessible for all, including in marginalized and remote areas.
The Consortium is led by the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Commonwealth of Learning and the University of the West Indies. It was officially launched at the 9th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting held in Kampala in 2017, by President Museveni.
Currently over fifteen (15) Higher Education Institutions are CHEC4YW members.
The Commonwealth Bachelor’s Degree in Youth Work
Building on the success of the Commonwealth Diploma in Youth Work, the CHEC4YW programme aims to meet the demand for higher level qualifications and expanded career pathways in youth work. Unique in scale and scope, it is directed towards the professional development of youth workers and the empowerment of Commonwealth youth to become confident, productive and responsible citizens.
Through the acquisition of theoretical and practical skills, graduates of a Youth Work degree will be well placed to pursue career pathways in youth work or a range of other sectors in their respective country or abroad. As the youth work sector grows in theory, research and practice, the energy and creativity of youth work degree graduates will be seen across all disciplines.
Who is the Programme for?
The programme is suitable for a range of students, including:
- Graduates of the Diploma in Youth Work or those with relevant diplomas from other regional and international institutions
- Experienced and working professionals who do not have a specialised qualification in youth work
- Secondary school graduates pursuing tertiary study for the first time who wish to pursue a career in the field of youth work
Participating HEIs
Africa Region
- Botswana Open University – BOTSWANA
- University of Ghana – GHANA
- The Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources – MALAWI
- University of Malawi – MALAWI
- Open University of Mauritius – MAURITIUS
- University of Mauritius – MAURITIUS
- Namibian College of Open Learning – NAMIBIA
- University of Seychelles – SEYCHELLES
- University of Sierra Leone – SIERRA LEONE
- University of Venda – SOUTH AFRICA
- Makerere University UGANDA
Asia Region
- Bangladesh Open University – BANGLADESH
- Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development – INDIA
- Universiti Putra Malaysia – MALAYSIA
- Open University of Sri Lanka – SRI LANKA
Caribbean Region
Pacific Region
Degree Courses
- YDW 1001 – Sociology of Youth
- YDW 2000 – Youth Development Work: Personal and Professional Development
- YDW 2001 – Contemporary Issues in Youth Development Work
- YDW 2003 – Youth Governance & Participation
- YDW 2004 – Management & Leadership Skills for Youth Work
- YDW 2005 – Health, Safety & Well-Being in Youth Work
- YDW 2006 – Youth Entrepreneurship
- YDWI 2007 – Youth & Sustainable Development
- YDW 3000 – YDW Networks, Partnerships & Resources
- YDW 3001 – Working With Youth
- YDW 3002 – Youth Advocacy: Principles & Tools
- YDW 3003 – Youth Advocacy: ICTs in Youth Work
- YDW 3004 – Supporting Youth in Grief & Trauma
- YDW 3005 – Peace, Conflict Resolution & Mediation
- YDW 3006 – Strategic Planning and Programme Management for Youth
- SOCI 1001 – Introduction to Social Research
- SOCI 1002 – Introduction to Sociology
- PSYC 1000 – Introduction to Psychology
- PSYC 2015 – Development Psychology
Diploma Courses
- CYP Diploma Module 1- Learning Process
- CYP Diploma Module 2 – Young people and society
- CYP Diploma Module 3 – Principal and Practices
- CYP Diploma Module 4 – Working with Young People
- CYP Diploma Module 5 – Gender and Development
- CYP Diploma Module 6 – Commonwealth Values
- CYP Diploma Module 7 – Management Skills
- CYP Diploma Module 8 – Planning and M&E
- CYP Diploma Module 9 – Policy and Implementation
- CYP Diploma Module 10 – Conflict and Resolution
- CYP Diploma Module 11 – Enterprise and Economic Development
- CYP Diploma Module 12 – Youth and Health
- CYP Diploma Module 13 – Sustainable Development
The Consortium collaborates with like minded partners to deliver short courses in Youth Work to enhance youth work practice, support youth work policy and engage youth workers sustainably and globally within a Community of Practice.
The short courses are delivered essentially at the request of Ministries of Youth.