“Joyful commitment” that’s what Jeugddienst Don Bosco vzw wants to be. By challenging young people to volunteering, formation initiatives and other ways of leisure activities, a contribution is made towards their complete development. In this way they turn into able-bodied, social and engaged young people, who dare to occupy their place in society and shape it. We focus our attention on people between 12 and 30, but with an emphasis on the age group of 15 to 25 years. Our organisation is inspired by the pedagogical project of Don Bosco. This leads towards some basic assumptions that can be found at the basis of our functioning and that are finally translated into the vision of our Jeugddienst. Basic assumptions Young people are personally responsible for their own development. Communication and dialogue with adults, as well as critical reflection on society are hereby important driving forces. Starting from Don Bosco’s way of thinking and working we have chosen, in function of an integral approach of young people, to offer them 4 particular spots.

1. a place “of their own”, where young people feel at home and where they get the necessary space to be themselves, to express their feelings and to shape their own personality.
2. a place ”where to learn”, where they get the space or opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge, where they learn to assume the responsibility for the surrounding reality, where they become capable to play their part in society in a critical way.
3. a place “to play”, where young people can meet peers, can talk and discuss, can build up and maintain relations with others, where they can accept solidarity, can organise and experience things together.
4. a place “of sensibleness”, where young people may find it possible to search for their raison d’être, for meaning in their lives.

Young people and their efforts for children and peers are important elements in the reflection and the action of Jeugddienst Don Bosco vzw. Being committed in a pleasant way includes the choice to offer young people the full co-responsibility in elaborating and realising its functioning. This commitment finds its roots in the next four values: freedom, responsibility, solidarity and meaningfulness, inspired by a Christian vision on man and his world. Young people and freedom: Young people are dynamic people that develop themselves into an integral and unique person. This presupposes a growth in personal freedom. They want to acquire freedom, even if they haven’t got immediately an ideal in view. Therefore, young people must get the necessary space and means. This, however, is always dependent on the society they are living in. This entails a double challenge: on one hand to support young people in their integration into the society, on the other hand to let them be critically-constructive towards this society. Young people and responsibility: Freedom that becomes absolute is the biggest lack of freedom. Responsibility creates the correct balance. That’s why young people should get the opportunity to exercise responsibility in very concrete situations, adapted to their age and the already acquired skills. By taking up responsibility, young people are challenged to shape the social context and at the same time to stand up against unjust systems, poverty and oppression. Young people and solidarity: Young people do not stand alone in life. They should get the chance to experience solidarity, so they can integrate it on their turn into their lives. This solidarity should not be limited to their own peer group, but needs to be opened towards a broader society. Young people and meaningfulness: A lot of young people are looking for ‘sense’ in their life, to see who they can be and what they can mean for the broader world they are living in. That is why it is extremely important to let them feel and let them search for what is valuable in their lives, for what they are standing for, for how they make their lives meaningful. It is important to help young people qualify their identity concerning the core problems of life and of living together. We have chosen to shape these four values by means of a playful, creative approach based on experience.