something about In Petto
25 Aug 2010 Leave a Comment
As I promised yesterday, I’m posting some information about my host organization-In Petto. So, this is what In Petto staff says about their organization and its work 
In Petto’s goal is to capture signals sent by young persons that point to an amount of ‘unwellbeing’ and to transform this into actions that increase the wellbeing of all young persons. These actions are principally characterized by their capacity to increase the competence of and to enlarge participation by the young persons involved. In Petto consequently influences young people’s wellbeing. And if young people feel a bit better, as a result, society will profit from it as well.
In Petto informs ‘environment figures’ and ‘authorities’ about signals of unwellbeing pointed at by young persons. It convinces both parties to value young people’s competences and to provide them with more chances of participation. In Petto also tries to organize direct contact between ‘authorities’ and young people.
In Petto has a superregional range within a worldwide context, and operates in the ‘mixed area’ between three sectors: youth work, welfare and education.
In Petto focuses on three relevant target groups: young persons, environment figures and authorities.
In Petto’s themes
Wellbeing is principally a question of ‘being lucky’, materially, physically, socially, relationally as well as psychologically.
In Petto has a set of criteria to select themes. The themes are delicate and difficult to discuss;
- The themes deal with the personal and social development of every young individual;
- Each young person uses a different definition of the subject involved, lays other accents, has different solutions;
- The themes are (sometimes) looked upon by parents, school, media, publicity… from a different angle;
- The themes deal with the development of values, standards, skills and knowledge of young persons.
In Petto deals with (welfare) themes within the area of tension between problems of young persons, and problems with young persons.
In Petto’s actions
Improving chances of participation, competences and wellbeing of young persons necessitates the availability of objective and relevant information. Indeed, information is an essential condition for self-development and contributes to the structuring of society. There is also a need for sufficient and good channels to improve young persons’ participation and to offer them the prominent place in society they deserve.
Most of In Petto’s activities place information and participation in the focus of attention. It goes without saying that young persons are involved in the conception of these activities, before as well as after.
This results in:
- The distribution of information. Young persons are actively involved as regards content and the process as a whole (involvement in the beginning, middle, end);
- The development of methods and channels to improve and optimize young persons’ participation (friendship as a means of prevention, peer inquiries, website, training, research…)
In Petto is different because…
Information is defined differently
In Petto is concerned about young persons’ wellbeing. In Petto principally focuses on information and participation.
Information as developed by In Petto starts from a holistic approach, in which the theme is considered in its totality. The information provided does not limit itself to a purely juridical framework, but also takes into account the emotional scope. This general approach answers the expectations of young persons. They want more than a strictly juridical answer to a question regarding their wellbeing, since indeed more elements are involved.
The only way to do deal with this, is to involve young persons in the entire process. We are not dealing here with structural participation (youth councils, pupils boards), but the process is structure-oriented. We consider it vital that young persons are involved at the start, in the middle and during the evaluation.
Most of the national youth organizations have a largely local range. In Petto is different, because it operates less regionally and associates itself mainly with other superregional organizations. Young people today feel part of an international and multicultural environment. In Petto consequently honours that evolution.
Ok, this is what I want to explore and learn about. In following days, you will read here what I have discovered and learnt, with the help of In Petto staff.
