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In each of the different countries the YCW is made up of young workers, unemployed youngsters and pupils (of both sexes) and we organize educational actions and activities at local, regional and national levels.

Our aim is to improve the situations in which we young people live through ongoing educational action. When we talk about educational action, we are not referring to a series of unconnected activities, but activities decided upon by the young people who carry them out, which are also open to any other young people who are interested.

The activities are decided upon through the analysis of a reality, i.e. of the environment in which we live, which brings to light a series of needs in the environment itself and in young people's lives.

Once this analysis has taken place, actions are planned and carried out. They are responses to the needs identified and represent alternatives for young people.

As an integral part of each of these actions, steps are taken to bring the problems encountered by young people and the causes behind them to the public eye. Through the activities we then develop, we offer ALTERNATIVES to the existing situation. By proceeding in this way we build up a catalogue of demands of different kinds - demands for meeting places for young people, for infrastructure, for better living conditions in our neighbourhoods, demands to improve the situation for young people, migrants, unemployed people, pupils and students etc.

All these activities and actions are linked together in a relationship of cause and effect. In other words, the individual actions are not one-off activities but part of a long-term action process.

Here are some examples of educational action currently under way:

• Actions relating to employment and unemployment: guidance and training activities for young unemployed people, such as training courses in different trades and workshops about job availability (labour market outlets). Courses in job-seeking skills, ongoing support and guidance in the actual job-seeking process and help with industrial relations issues. Activities to help young people acquire the attitudes and habits they will need in the world of work.

• Actions relating to education and training: activities to bring about pupil participation in educational institutions. Extra-curricular activities, information campaigns and guidance in the choice of future studies, advice on job outlets and courses in study techniques.

• Actions relating to emigration/immigration: places to go for young people affected by these situations, offering information, advice and training at all levels (legal issues, training opportunities, employment, cultural and behavioural aspects, etc.) to help them adapt to their new countries and become integrated. Awareness-raising actions for the rest of the population (both young people and adults).

• Actions relating to intercultural living: campaigns and actions to defend young people affected by racism, sexism, etc and actions to raise awareness in society at large.

• Actions relating to free time: leisure, cultural and sporting activities such as training courses, workshops, cinemas, theatres, sports, films, debates, seminars and activities to raise awareness of social issues. We do all of these things in what we call youth clubs or youth centres. There are also open-air activities - camps, trips, etc.

• Actions relating to the environment/ecology: awareness-raising and educational actions to encourage people to respect the environment - recycling workshops, workshops to improve people's understanding of their natural environment, encourage them to use non-polluting resources and materials, etc.

• Activities relating to drugs and alcoholism: prevention, provision of information, legal aid, medical assistance and rehabilitation.

• Activities relating to communication: we set up independent radio stations, publish newspapers and magazines and use other channels of communication too. Everything is managed and put together by young people themselves the information provided is specially adapted to young people's needs and concerns.