Bringing Democratic Education to Life: Guidance for the Youth Work Sector

York St John University and the National Youth Agency (NYA) are delighted to host the launch of the new Informal Democratic Education Practice Guidance.

Developed through research led by Dr Carole Pugh and written in partnership with the National Youth Agency, this guidance recognises the vital role youth work plays in supporting young people to understand democracy, explore political issues, develop critical thinking and influence the decisions that affect their lives.

As voting rights are extended to 16 and 17-year-olds across the UK, there is a growing need for high-quality democratic education that helps young people navigate political information, understand their rights and responsibilities, and engage confidently in decision-making. The guidance provides practical support for youth workers and organisations, explaining why democratic education matters, outlining key legal, ethical and practice principles, and offering clear advice on facilitating safe, inclusive and impartial discussions.

The event will introduce the guidance, share key research findings, and explore what effective informal democratic education looks like in practice through real-world scenarios, case studies and practical examples. It will be of interest to youth work practitioners, managers, policymakers, academics and young people committed to strengthening participation, democracy and youth voice.