Youthwork education : a view from down under

The author outlines the development of youthwork within Australia from its early British roots and the related provision of youthwork education within colleges and universities. Using the youthwork course at the University of Western Sydney as an example, an approach to youthwork education within Australia is outlined. This article compares and contrasts some of the challenges facing youthworkers, youthwork service providers, and university educators in Australia and North America. The article concludes by briefly outlining some of the barriers that still remain to the true internationalisation of the youthwork profession.