Fostering a Positive Growth Environment for Young People
The National Youth Work and Youth Policy Programme (VANUPO), revised every four years by the Finnish government, is a strategic initiative designed to create a nurturing environment that supports the development of Finnish young people aged 12 to 25—a demographic of nearly 870,000 individuals. This period of life is critical, as it represents the transition from adolescence to adulthood, marked by significant emotional, social, and physical changes. The Finnish government rigorously revises VANUPO through extensive research, expert consultations, and careful consideration of current societal trends and challenges. This comprehensive process ensures that the programme remains relevant and effective in addressing the evolving needs of young people.
Figure 1
Helsinki Streets: A Snapshot of White-Capped May Day Graduates.
Note. From Wen-Hua Chen
Legal and Strategic Foundations
VANUPO is legally anchored in the Youth Act (1285/2016) and further detailed by the Government Decree on Youth Work and Youth Policy (211/2017). The Programme's strategic framework is closely aligned with the broader objectives of the Finnish Government Programme. The 2024–2027 cycle emphasizes a coordinated approach to enhancing young people's well-being across multiple government sectors, including education, health, and social services. This comprehensive strategy ensures that the diverse and complex needs of the youth population are effectively met.
VANUPO is committed to improving young people's living conditions and growth environments across various societal domains by adopting a holistic perspective on youth policy. Policy decisions within this framework are systematically evaluated from the standpoint of youth well-being, ensuring that they remain relevant and beneficial. VANUPO defines youth work as educational activities to support young people's growth, transition to independence, and social inclusion. These activities are conducted through individual and group interactions, carefully tailored to nurture the development of young people.
Strategic Objectives
VANUPO's strategic objectives are organized into three primary "baskets," each addressing a crucial aspect of youth well-being (Ministry of Education and Culture Finland, 2024):
Educational and Professional Advancement: This basket aims to improve educational outcomes, facilitate access to hobbies and activities, and reduce the number of young people who are disengaged from employment, education, or training (NEET).
Mental Health and Supportive Activities: This basket prioritizes the delivery of timely and high-quality mental health services. It also promotes activities that enhance mental well-being through meaningful engagement in art therapy, sports, and community service. These activities are designed to give young people a sense of purpose and accomplishment, essential for maintaining mental health.
Inclusion, Community, and Safety: This basket focuses on increasing young people's participation in social and political discourse, strengthening their sense of safety, and fostering community involvement, equality, and resilience.
Moreover, VANUPO is closely integrated with Finland's National Child Strategy, based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The alignment ensures that the programme not only fulfills national objectives but also contributes to broader European and international youth policy goals, underscoring Finland's commitment to advancing the well-being of young people both domestically and globally.
Strengths and Challenges
The VANUPO 2024-2027 represents a forward-thinking approach to youth development, incorporating a comprehensive framework considering the diverse facets of young people's lives. This multifaceted strategy is vital, as it acknowledges the interconnected aspects of youth experiences, which, as Larson (2020) suggests, may enhance the effectiveness of holistic youth policies. Furthermore, the programme's structural design promotes multi-sectoral collaboration, which could be crucial for addressing youth's intricate social challenges, as indicated by studies such as those by O'Toole (1986).
Figure 2
A Snapshot of Helsinki Linnanmäki Amusement Park.
Note. From Wen-Hua Chen
Despite these promising aspects, VANUPO might encounter significant challenges, particularly given its ambitious scope and the practical demands of its implementation. The wide-ranging objectives, while inclusive, could dilute the focus and disperse resources, leading to suboptimal outcomes if not meticulously managed (Pressman & Wildavsky, 1984). Additionally, the Programme's reliance on developing detailed indicators and measures post-launch might result in initial inefficiencies and a lack of clear accountability mechanisms. Furthermore, the broad-based approach of VANUPO might not fully address the specific needs of diverse youth populations, such as those in rural or marginalized communities, possibly resulting in disparities in the effectiveness of policies across different demographic groups (Checkoway & Gutierrez, 2006).
The ultimate effectiveness of VANUPO hinges on its execution. While the Programme is thoughtfully conceived and deeply rooted in understanding young people's needs, it requires precise planning and strategic resource allocation to realize its ambitious goals. The development and timely implementation of specific indicators are crucial for monitoring progress and facilitating necessary adjustments, which are vital for maintaining the Programme's integrity and effectiveness. Although VANUPO aligns with international standards and strategies, it should ensure that broader objectives are consistent with local and individualized needs. Tailoring approaches to match the unique contexts of various youth groups could enhance the Programme's impact and help achieve its overarching goals of promoting youth well-being and development.
Conclusion and Recommendations for Taiwan
In conclusion, VANUPO represents a significant effort to address the multifaceted needs of young people in Finland. However, for it to serve as a model of successful youth policy, it must navigate the challenges of implementation and maintain flexibility to adapt effectively to localized needs, ensuring that its broad aspirations translate into tangible benefits for all segments of the youth population.
Several actionable insights can be drawn from VANUPO's approach to inform Taiwan's youth policy:
The Collaboration of Multisectorality: Like Finland's strategy, Taiwan could benefit from establishing more robust multi-sector collaboration mechanisms. Coordinated efforts between education, health, social services, and local government agencies could create a holistic support system for young people. Such collaboration could ensure that youth policies are comprehensive and effectively implemented across different sectors, addressing the varied needs of Taiwanese young people, particularly those in vulnerable or remote areas.
Targeted Support for Disadvantaged Young People: VANUPO's emphasis on inclusivity offers valuable lessons for Taiwan. Taiwan could ensure equitable youth policies by enhancing support for marginalized groups, such as young people in rural areas or those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. This could involve tailored educational programmes, mental health services, and community engagement initiatives specifically designed to meet the unique challenges faced by these groups.
Teacher Intervention Strategies: On the educational front, Taiwan could integrate specific teacher intervention strategies that align with VANUPO's goals. Teachers can be trained to incorporate socio-cultural elements into their curriculum, fostering a more inclusive environment that resonates with the diverse backgrounds of Taiwanese students. Additionally, professional development programmes for teachers could emphasize the importance of emotional and social support, equipping them with the skills needed to identify and address the broader well-being of their students.
Cultural Sensitivity in Policy Design: Taking inspiration from VANUPO's culturally aware approach, Taiwan could enrich its youth policies by embedding cultural sensitivity into policy design and implementation. This could involve consulting with local communities and youth groups to ensure that policies reflect the cultural and social dynamics unique to Taiwan.
By drawing on these aspects of VANUPO, Taiwan can develop a more effective and inclusive youth policy framework. However, if these strategies are not carefully adapted to Taiwan's specific context and needs, there is a risk that the policies might not achieve their full potential. It is crucial that Taiwan goes beyond simply adopting ideas and instead ensures that these strategies are meaningfully integrated into its education and social systems. Only by addressing these challenges with genuine commitment can Taiwan create a supportive environment where all young people can thrive, reducing inequalities and providing every youth with the opportunity to succeed.
參考資料
Ministry of Education and Culture Finland. (2024). Strengthening young people's well-being through multidisciplinary measures National Youth Work and Youth Policy Programme 2024–2027.
Checkoway, B., & Gutierrez, L. (2006). Youth Participation and Community Change. Journal of Community Practice. 14, 1–9.
Larson, R. W. (2020). Toward a Psychology of Positive Youth Development. Journal of Child and Youth Care Work. 24, 149–179.
O’Toole, L. J. (1986). Policy Recommendations for Multi-Actor Implementation: An Assessment of the Field. Journal of Public Policy, 6(2), 181–210.
Pressman, J. L., & Wildavsky, A. B. (1984). Implementation: How Great Expectations in Washington Are Dashed in Oakland. University of California Press.
Citation (APA 7 format):
Wen-Hua Chen (2024, September 25). Finland's National Youth Work and Youth Policy Programme 2024-2027 (VANUPO 2024-2027) is Now Underway. Global education linkages: discovering novel trends from the world. https://www.gel-net.com/post/202409-03
