Nurturing the health and well-being of European youth: visions, collisions and decisions

Well-being in particular is highly contested theoretically and this paper will attempt to operationalise the conceptual maze in a way that is useful to those engaged in the diverse Youth Work Field, both in governmental and nongovernmental sectors. The aspirations (visions) of a youth population achieving high levels of health and well-being will be examined against the barriers (collisions) which get in the way, both within a European policy and practice sense. The solutions (decisions) draw upon models of positive psychology, participation, citizenship and social capital which can be applied by those working for and with young people at a number of levels.