Never before in living memory has the gap in mutual acceptance and understanding between generations been as large as it is now. Massive societal and cultural shifts, fuelled by changing technology, increasing rates of change, globilisation and disconnectedness, have caused a deep divide between those born in the first two-thirds of this century and those born in the latter decades. This dissertation aims to identify the causes of this divide, quantify the effects and suggest solutions. Although generally applicable to many different organisations in society, especially schools, parenting, businesses with young and old employees or those with generationally diverse target markets, this dissertation focuses specifically in application on the context of local churches. It aims to provide an understanding of the concept of a "generation gap" and practical guidelines for churches seeking to become truly multi-generational in their structures and ministries. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Diac. (Youth Work Direction)

The thesis deals with low-threshold youth work in the context of salesian pedagogy. Using secondary analysis examines the needs of adolescents recorded in official documents of low-threshold club Oráč. Needs are classified into the system of needs and research results are used to a comprehensive view of the declared needs of adolescents visiting low-threshold club of Salesian center in České Budějovice in 2012.

Le principal objectif de ce travail de recherche est d'analyser de façon empirique, à l'aide d'une approche nouvelle et robuste, les déterminants de la fréquentation scolaire, le rôle du secteur informel dans l'abandon scolaire, et les liens entre le travail des jeunes et la productivité dans les petites entreprises. Premièrement, nous sommes intéressés à déterminer la magnitude des rendements privés de l'éducation au Venezuela. Pour cela, nous utilisons des données en coupe transversale répétée provenant de l'enquête des ménages. Le désavantage d'utiliser des données de pseudo-panel est la présence élevée d'erreurs de mesure. Nous abordons ce problème à travers l'utilisation de la méthode de variables instrumentales basée sur les moments empiriques d'ordre supérieur à deux. Par la suite, nous cherchons à comprendre les causes de l'abandon scolaire dans l'enseignement secondaire au Venezuela. Notre contribution à la littérature de l'abandon scolaire est double. Tout d'abord,l'inclusion de l'informalité (représentée par les parents des jeunes qui travaillent au noir) comme l'un des principaux facteurs qui influent sur la probabilité que les enfants culminent leurs études secondaires. Deuxièmement, l'utilisation de données de panel dans l'évaluation du problème des jeunes décrocheurs du secondaire, donne un aperçu nouveau et plus robuste sur les goulets d'étranglement de l'éducation du Venezuela. L'approche économétrique est basé sur l'utilisation des corrections de Mundlak afin d'éliminer le biais d'endogénéité. Pour terminer, nous analysons l'effet de jeunes travailleurs sur la productivité des petites entreprises non enregistrées au Brésil. Nous utilisons la méthode de la variable instrumentale afin de veiller à ce que nos résultats ne soient pas biaisés. / The purpose of this thesis is to empirically assess, through the use of novel and econometrically robust approaches, the drivers of school attendance, the role of informality in school dropout, and the linkages between youth work and productivity in small firms. First, we are interested in determining how important the private returns to education are in Venezuela. To this matter, we construct a pseudopanel data by means of the repeated cross-sections from the household survey. The drawback of using pseudo-panel data is the high presence of measurement errors. We address this issue through the use of consistent instrumental variables estimators based on sample moments of order higher than two. Second, we seek to understand the causes of school dropout in secondary education in Venezuela. The econometric approach consists in eliminating the endogeneity bias by using Mundlak corrections, since there is neither a good instrument nor can fixed-effects estimators be used in this estimation. Our contribution for school dropout's literature is twofold. First, the inclusion of informality (informal worker parents) as one of the main factorsffecting the likelihood of children completing high school. Second, the use of recent panel data in assessing the problem of early high school dropouts, provides new and more robust insight into Venezuela's educational bottlenecks. Finally, we analyzethe affect of the share of young workers on small unregistered firms' productivity in Brazil. We use the method of Instrumental Variable in order to ensure that our results are not biased.

Summaries in German, English and Afrikaans / Text in German / Die vorliegende Masterarbeit untersucht mittels empirisch-theologischer Forschung, inwiefern ‚Offene Jugendarbeit‘ einen Ort interreligiöser Lernprozesse darstellt. Aufbauend auf theologischer und sozialwissenschaftlicher Grundlegung wurden Mitarbeitende von ‚Offenen Jugendarbeiten‘ in und um Dillenburg in Form von qualitativen Experteninterviews nach ihrer Einschätzung bezüglich der Religiosität der Jugendlichen und der Chancen, Grenzen und Anknüpfungspunkte für interreligiöse Lernprozesse befragt. Dabei dient der empirisch-theologische-Praxiszyklus nach Faix als methodologischer Rahmen. Als Ergebnis der Untersuchung können fünf Aspekte für gelingende interreligiöse Lernprozesse in ‚Offenen Jugendarbeiten‘ festgehalten werden: Offenheit, Orientierung an den Jugendlichen, Religionssensibilität, Miteinander und Austausch. Unter Berücksichtigung dieser und der theologischen und sozialwissenschaftlichen Vorüberlegungen werden sowohl Konsequenzen für die Praxis Sozialer Arbeit als auch für die Missionswissenschaft als theologische Disziplin gezogen. Die Studie will zudem einen Beitrag zur Diskussion um die Verhältnisbestimmung von Theologie und Sozialer Arbeit leisten und Handlungsoptionen für ‚Offene Jugendarbeit‘ aufzeigen. / Based on the empirical-theological research approach, this thesis examines how “open youth work” can be seen as a place for interreligious learning. Referring to theological and socio-scientific foundations, employees of open youth work in Dillenburg (Germany) were asked to give an assessment of the youth’s religiousness and opportunities, limitations, and contact points for interreligious learning in open youth work. The empirical-theological practical cycle serves as methodological framework. In summary, five aspects of successful interreligious learning were identified: openness, youth orientation, religious sensitivity, togetherness and exchange. Taking into account the given results and the theological and socio-scientific preliminary considerations, the consequences for missiology and the practice of social work will be drawn together. The study aims to contribute to the discussion about the relationship between theology and social work, identifying courses of action for open youth work. / Op grond van die empiries-teologiese navorsingsbenadering ondersoek hierdie tesis hoe “oop jeugwerk” beskou kan word as 'n geleentheid vir interreligieuse leer. Met verwysing na teologiese en sosiaal-wetenskaplike grondslae is jeugwerkers in Dillenburg (Duitsland) versoek om die godsdienstigheid van jongmense asook die geleenthede, beperkings en kontakpunte vir interreligieuse leer in oop jeugwerk te beoordeel. Die empiries-teologiese praktiese siklus dien as metodologiese raamwerk. Vyf aspekte van geslaagde interreligieuse leer is aangedui: oopheid, jeugoriëntasie, godsdiensgevoeligheid, samehorigheid en uitruiling. Met inagneming van die uitslag en die teologiese en sosiaal-wetenskaplike voorlopige beskouings word afleidings gemaak oor die gevolge vir die missiologie en die praktyk van maatskaplike werk, en word 'n handelswyse vir oop jeugwerk aangetoon. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)

An applied study was undertaken to describe the current position of youth work as profession in the Dutch Reformed Church and to identify factors influencing the sustainability. A review of relevant literature, as well as an empirical survey were conducted to investigate pertinent factors such as the working conditions, the person and the training of the youth worker. In the empirical research respondents completing questionnaires consisted of former students of the Huguenot College currently employed as church youth workers, and those who left the ministry. Interviews were conducted with congregations currently employing or having employed youth workers. It is evident from this study that the youth work profession is not yet satisfactorily established and thus contributes to youth workers leaving the ministry. In the interest of youth ministry, it is essential for the Dutch Reformed Church to acknowledge these factors influencing the sustainability of youth work as profession, in order to get this occupation properly established. / Practical Theology / M.Diac. (Jeugwerk-rigting)

An applied study was undertaken to describe the current position of youth work as profession in the Dutch Reformed Church and to identify factors influencing the sustainability. A review of relevant literature, as well as an empirical survey were conducted to investigate pertinent factors such as the working conditions, the person and the training of the youth worker. In the empirical research respondents completing questionnaires consisted of former students of the Huguenot College currently employed as church youth workers, and those who left the ministry. Interviews were conducted with congregations currently employing or having employed youth workers. It is evident from this study that the youth work profession is not yet satisfactorily established and thus contributes to youth workers leaving the ministry. In the interest of youth ministry, it is essential for the Dutch Reformed Church to acknowledge these factors influencing the sustainability of youth work as profession, in order to get this occupation properly established. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M.Diac. (Jeugwerk-rigting)

Text in German / This doctoral thesis deals with the changes the youth grapple with in Southern Ghana today. These changes permeate all fabrics of society, from the traditional society with its values to the modern society that is undergoing radical social changes. The First Part presents to the reader the traditional Akan Society. It points out how it has assisted young people to get into the world of the adult. It gives an insight into the traditional religions, the rites and practices associated with them and their relation to young people. The Second Part deals with the History of the Presbyterian Youth Work from its inception to the present day. The Presbyterian Church of Ghana was set up in the early 20th Century from the toils of the Basel Mission and the United Free Church of Scotland. This new Christian way of life brought a clash between two world views: the traditional African Religion (ATR) and the Christian Religion that brought about, so to say, farreaching consequences to the culture and the development of the country. Part three focuses attention on the present changes in the Ghanaian Society. It shows the effects of migration and the economic conditions on the Ghanaian Society at the turn of the 21st Century especially for young people. Part four sums up the findings and discusses them on the basis of two leading concepts: Contextualization and Identity. I evaluated a contextualization project of a church parish in southern Ghana. Here are, in my opinion, the first signs that could show the way into the future, i.e. a way of preaching the Gospel within the context of the traditional mindset of the local people by taking into account the Ghanaian Culture and with due regard to the feelings of the youth. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology)

Text in German / This doctoral thesis deals with the changes the youth grapple with in Southern Ghana today. These changes permeate all fabrics of society, from the traditional society with its values to the modern society that is undergoing radical social changes. The First Part presents to the reader the traditional Akan Society. It points out how it has assisted young people to get into the world of the adult. It gives an insight into the traditional religions, the rites and practices associated with them and their relation to young people. The Second Part deals with the History of the Presbyterian Youth Work from its inception to the present day. The Presbyterian Church of Ghana was set up in the early 20th Century from the toils of the Basel Mission and the United Free Church of Scotland. This new Christian way of life brought a clash between two world views: the traditional African Religion (ATR) and the Christian Religion that brought about, so to say, farreaching consequences to the culture and the development of the country. Part three focuses attention on the present changes in the Ghanaian Society. It shows the effects of migration and the economic conditions on the Ghanaian Society at the turn of the 21st Century especially for young people. Part four sums up the findings and discusses them on the basis of two leading concepts: Contextualization and Identity. I evaluated a contextualization project of a church parish in southern Ghana. Here are, in my opinion, the first signs that could show the way into the future, i.e. a way of preaching the Gospel within the context of the traditional mindset of the local people by taking into account the Ghanaian Culture and with due regard to the feelings of the youth. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology)

Text in German, summaries in German and English / In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird empirisch-theologisch der Frage nachgegangen, welche Relevanz Partizipation in der kirchlichen Praxis für beteiligte Ehrenamtliche besitzt. Dazu wurden qualitative, halb-standardisierte Interviews mit jungen Erwachsenen aus partizipativen Jugendarbeiten in Köln geführt und diese anschließend methodisch ausgewertet. Ziel war es, einen Eindruck zu gewinnen, warum sich junge Menschen partizipativen Gemeindeformen anschließen und dort mitarbeiten- und welche Rolle dabei die partizipativen Elemente tatsächlich einnehmen. Dies geschieht vor dem Hintergrund aktueller und historischer kirchlicher Praxis, vor dem die Ergebnisse betrachtet, reflektiert und nutzbar gemacht werden. / This research paper examines how important participation is for volunteers at church. The goal of this study is to gain insights into why young adults join participatory forms of church youth work and participate actively in the programs as well as to determine how important participatory elements really are to them. The study is carried out with empirical-theological methods. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with young adults in participatory clerical youth organizations in Cologne. Subsequently, these interviews were examined methodologically. Against the backdrop of current and historical ecclesiastical practice, these results were considered, reflected upon and made useable. / Practical Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)

Abstracts in German and English / In dieser empirisch-theologischen Untersuchung werden ExpertInnen missionaler Jugendarbeiten in ostdeutschen Städten befragt. Es soll herausgefunden werden, welche Vorgehensweisen im Blick auf die missionarische Erreichbarkeit Jugendlicher wirksam sind. Der Aufbau der Masterthesis orientiert sich am Forschungsprozess des empirisch- theologischen Praxiszyklus. (Faix 2007:64ff) Im ersten Teil befindet sich die Einleitung, welche Forschungsmotivation und -Ziel erläutert und einen Überblick über die Methodologie und Vorgehensweise gibt. Dem folgt eine Einführung anhand der Schlüsselbegriffe, welche die soziologischen und theologischen Bedingungen des Praxisfeldes darlegt. Im dritten Teil befindet sich die missiologische Problem- und Zielentwicklung. Die methodologische Grundlegung schließt sich an: Der empirisch-theologische Praxiszyklus, die Vorgehensweise bei den ExpertInneninterviews und die Auswertung anhand der Grounded Theory. Dieser folgt die qualitative Erhebung. Die ExpertInnen werden nach ihren Sichtweisen befragt und diese werden nach der Grounded Theory ausgewertet. Die Ergebnisse werden im fünften Teil zusammengefasst und anhand der Frage nach wirksamen Vorgehensweisen für missionale Jugendarbeiten reflektiert. / This empirical theological study surveys experts in missional youth work in east German towns. The aim is to discover which approaches constitute effective means for missionaries to reach out to young people. The work is structured in line with the research process found in the praxis cycle of empirical theology. (Faix 2007: 64ff) The Master’s thesis thus starts with a preamble explaining the motivation and goal of research, and an overview of the methodology and approach used in the work. This is followed by an introduction, setting out the sociological and theological conditions of this field of practice based on the key terms. The third section contains the missiological problem statement and formulates objectives. After this, the methodological basis of the Master’s thesis is formed, with a description of the praxis cycle based on empirical theology, the procedure used in interviews and the analysis following grounded theory. The qualitative survey follows in the fourth section. Experts in missional youth work in east German towns are asked about their subjective views on how missionaries can reach out to young people in their projects, and their answers are analysed using grounded theory. The fifth part summarises the findings of this analysis, and reflects on means of effective practice for missional youth work, based on the research question. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology) / M. Th. (Missiology)