YOUTHopia! volume 1 | Page 2

Dear reader, Let US introduce ourselves ….. We, Youth Social Rights Network (Y-SRN) are an informal network of individuals, public and private entities interested in and/or active in the youth social rights field, that aim to improve access to social rights for young people. Our aim is to improve access to social rights of young people (particularly those from disadvantaged neighborhoods or young people facing disadvantage) We want to raise awareness at local, national and European level on the social rights issues affecting young people (particularly those from disadvantaged neighborhoods or those facing disadvantage); to propose and/or promote measures, policies and recommendations for improving access to social rights; to exchange information, good practices and experiences in the field of access to social rights; to develop expertise in youth work (particularly in disadvantaged neighborhoods); to promote and support active participation of young people (particularly those from disadvantaged neighborhoods or those facing disadvantage) in democratic processes and structures; to prevent and counteract all forms of violence, discrimination, racism, stigmatization and marginalization of young people (particularly those from disadvantaged neighborhoods or those facing disadvantage); to promote cultural diversity as well as intercultural dialogue and co-operation; to create partnerships with different stakeholders involved in areas which are relevant to the network; to encourage and support local, national and regional networking among young people and organizations; to support the development of the sense of individual responsibility of young people related to social rights; to provide research on the needs of young people; to promote the values of non- formal education; to influence institutional policies, practices, programmes and behaviour related to social rights of young people. One can say that we:     are a group of young people and adults working together on improvement of access to social rights for young people; Train and work with young people and multipliers; Support the development of quality youth work with young people (particularly those from disadvantaged neighborhoods or those facing disadvantage) and its recognition; Promote and support youth work, youth-initiated and youth-run projects, and provide assistance for youth workers and their