6.9 Awareness-raising about non-formal and informal learning and quality youth work
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Information providers / counselling structures
In Denmark, there is no single information provider regarding non-formal and informal learning. Non-formal and informal learning is cross-sectoral, which means that the Ministry of Children and Education is responsible for some parts of non-formal learning and the Ministry of Culture is responsible for other parts.
The following publicly funded organisations provide information on non-formal learning.
Danish Adult Education Association (Dansk Folkeoplysnings Samråd) is an umbrella organisation for 37 non-formal general adult education organisations in Denmark. On the website the association disseminates information on the value of non-formal learning for young people, for instance how young people benefit personally, socially and professionally from non-formal learning. Non-formal education institutions can help young people enrol on upper secondary education.
Furthermore, young people can find information on skills acquired through non-formal learning. The information focuses on how these skills and competences can be recognised in formal education and how young people develop life skills.
The Danish Youth Council (DUF) is an umbrella organisation for 78 children and youth organisations. On the website of the Youth Council, the council publishes articles on how young people’s activities in organisations play a vital role in the formation of citizenship and improves young people’s well-being and competences. Furthermore, the council disseminates analyses of quality youth projects from the member organisations.
Study and Career Guidance Denmark (Studievalg Denmark)
Study and Career Guidance Denmark primarily provides guidance in relation to formal education, but on the website young people can find information on sabbatical years after the completion of upper secondary education, for instance the benefits of a sabbatical year. Furthermore, young people can book a guidance session at one of the seven physical guidance centres.
Education Guide (UddannelsesGuiden) is a web portal that provides information about educational programmes, adult education, continuing training, and also to some extent non-formal learning opportunities in Denmark. On the portal, young people can find information about education institutions that provide non-formal learning, for instance production schools, continuation schools, youth schools, and private independent boarding schools. The information focuses on admission, the content of the education, future education possibilities, etc., and not so much on the value of non-formal and informal learning. Education Guide was developed by the (then) Danish Ministry of Education.
Information can also be found on the website of the Ministry of Children and Education.
Non-formal and informal learning in Denmark is closely linked to sports clubs and to youth and children leisure activities. See section 2.1 about the general context for voluntary activities in Denmark.
Vifo is a part of the Danish Institute for Sports Studies – an independent research and knowledge centre set up by the Danish Ministry of Culture.
The Danish Institute for Non-Formal Education (Vifo) focuses primarily on general non-formal education and non-formal youth and children leisure activities such as the scout movement and political and religious youth organisations.
Vifo’s tasks are to:
- Create an overview of and insight into the area of non-formal education (folkeoplysning)
- Analyse the area of non-formal education
- Initiate public debate on central questions related to the area of non-formal education
Awareness raising initiatives
There is no national awareness raising initiatives about the value of non-formal and informal learning.