Abstract
This chapter brings together the salient points of the contributions to this volume by way of drawing out common perspectives and approaches to youth policies from the international social policy contexts covered by the underlying project. Starting from considerations of how the COVID-19 pandemic worsened the chances of sections of the younger population to fully participate in education and employment, it underlines the importance of attending to the transition of youth to adulthood as a crucial indicator of the effectiveness of social solidarity arrangements which the pandemic puts under severe strain.
It emerged from the studies in this volume that it is not just a matter of offering young people more opportunities of participation in decisions concerning their life choices because, as the ambiguity built into "activation policies" shows, such arrangements can easily turn into mechanisms of further (self-)exclusion of those unable to exercise choices on account of material and social circumstances. Instead, the studies showed the importance of "giving voice" to young people and recognising forms of "agency" even in attitudes and behaviour that at first appear to express rejection.
Young people's search for finding recognition in communities thereby appears vital, although this needs to be linked to democratic processes in order to avoid setting up exclusionary groupings and furthering isolation and discrimination. Developing practice research towards "appreciative research" is proposed as an approach best suited to reach marginalised youth and engage them in policy-shaping processes.