Title: Real Work to Meet Real Needs

Description:

Session 1: Identifying Meaningful Work in Our Environment

Real and meaningful work happens when adolescents engage in tasks that benefit their community. When work emerges from the genuine needs of the social organisation, students are naturally motivated without requiring adult encouragement. In this session, we’ll explore how to identify these opportunities and examine how much freedom students currently have to pursue meaningful projects. We will discuss social organization within our communities and share real examples of student-led initiatives.

Session 2: Work, Growth, and Social Responsibility

Building on our observations, we will discuss how the Plan of Work and Study connects meaningful work to three key aspects of adolescent development: Self-expression, Psychic Development, and Preparation for Adult Life. We will examine how work rooted in social organization can promote dignity, justice, and independence, helping students navigate the challenges of this stage of life. Participants will share insights from their walks, and we will brainstorm additional opportunities for purposeful engagement.

This workshop is about re-examining adolescent work—not as a task to be assigned, but as a way for young people to take responsibility, solve real problems, and actively contribute to their world.

“Therefore work on the land is an introduction both to nature and to civilisation and gives a limitless field for scientific and historic studies. If the produce can be used commercially, this brings in the fundamental mechanism of society, that of production and exchange, on which economic life is based. This means that there is an opportunity to learn both academically and through actual experience what are the elements of social life” (Childhood to Adolescence 69)

Dates: Saturdays, 13 September & 18 October 2025

Time: 10am - 12 midday Time Zone Converter

Presenter: AMI Trainer in Training Jan Gaffney

Platform: Zoom