ABSTRACT

This paper critically evaluates the concept of innovation, in the context of the funding of youth work within Erasmus+ Key Acton 2, but the findings are applicable to other settings which emphasise innovation. The paper argues that, first, innovation is problematic because it lacks a definition. Second, innovation is founded on a neoliberal business model, where solutions are identified and mainstreamed, and the consumer is the ultimate arbiter. Third, the importance of innovation as both context dependent and contested is not appreciated. One result of these problems is that established professional knowledge is undermined, and an emphasis on innovation also has the potential to run counter to the existing established educational practices of youth work. It is argued that innovation is becoming a euphemism for quality, and therefore innovation is taking on the guise of a ‘silver bullet’ for wider EU policy problems.

摘要

本文在 Erasmus+ Key Acton 2 资助青年工作的背景下批判性地评估了创新的概念，但研究结果适用于其他强调创新的环境。该论文认为，首先，创新存在问题，因为它缺乏定义。其次，创新建立在新自由主义商业模式之上，解决方案被确定并成为主流，消费者是最终的仲裁者。第三，创新作为上下文相关和有争议的重要性没有得到重视。这些问题的一个结果是，既定的专业知识受到破坏，对创新的强调也有可能与现有的青年工作教育实践背道而驰。有人认为，创新正在成为质量的委婉说法，