Jean-Michel Bonvin – författare

Empowering Young People in Disempowering Times uses EU survey data and in-depth qualitative research to examine the education, employment experiences and quality of life of young people in Europe. It develops an extensive critique of the dominant policy approaches used in Europe, which aim to tackle the challenges facing disadvantaged young people through a focus on work first and a narrow human capital centered approach of integration. In response, the book analyses and discusses alternatives emerging from an application of Amartya Sens''s Capability Approach to youth policies and an enlarged concept of participation.

Offering quantitative and qualitative analysis which aim to develop new and progressive ways to assess the situation of socially disadvantaged young people in Europe, this book will be fascinating reading for students and teachers of social policy, as well as policy-makers, social practitioners and social scientists.

Contributors include: G. Acconcia, R. Atzmüller, E. Baillergeau, S. Belda-Miquel, T. Berthet, B. Beuret, A. Boni Aristizábal, J.-M. Bonvin, E. Chiappero-Martinetti, S. Dahmen, J.W. Duyvendak, V. Egdell, A.K. Frørup, C. Goffette, H. Graham, P.R. Graziano, B. Haidinger, N.R. Jensen, C.C. Kjeldsen, A. Knecht, T. Ley, A. Lopez-Fogues, H.-U. Otto, A. Peruzzi, R. Raeside, G. Roets, R. Roose, V. Simon, A.M.C. Spreafico, C. Vandekinderen, H. Van Keer, J. Vero

Centred on four major case studies – Germany, Greece, Switzerland, and the UK – the book analyses the key challenges that characterise the varied European landscape of gig economies and workforces. With a particular focus on the hospitality, driving, and food delivery sectors, chapters explore the intersection of social partners’ responses and gig workers’ capacity to organise and build collective voice. Examining the complicated and overlapping linkages between workers’ rights, social protection, social dialogue, and decent work, the book aims to expose, and ultimately put an end to, precariousness and exploitation in the context of gig labour.

Integrating critical theoretical perspectives and methodologies with context-sensitive evidence, this book will be an essential resource for students and scholars of sociology, social policy, labour policy, employment relations, and human resource management. Its examination of timely questions of collective action and social dialogue in the gig economy will also appeal to activists, journalists, social partners, and policymakers.

This volume addresses the conditions allowing the transformation of specific children’s rights into capabilities in settings as different as children’s parliaments, organized leisure activities, contexts of vulnerability, children in care. It addresses theoretical questions linked to children’s agency and reflexivity, education, the life cycle perspective, child participation, evolving capabilities and citizenship. The volume highlights important issues that have to be taken into account for the implementation of human rights and the development of peoples’ capabilities. The focus on children’s capabilities along a rights-based approach is an inspiring perspective that researchers and practitioners in the field of human rights would like to deepen.