It is with deep sadness that we learnt of the passing of Mark Taylor, a dedicated and innovative educator who made a lasting impact on the European youth sector. Mark Taylor worked as a tutor in the European Youth Centre Strasbourg in the early 1990s, where his passion for promoting intercultural understanding was channelled into the development of seminal educational materials for combating racism, xenophobia, antisemitism, and intolerance, Alien 93 and the Education Pack All Different, All Equal, which continue to inspire and empower countless educators, youth leaders and young activists across Europe.
Mark was the driving force behind the Council of Europe Education Department's Europe is More Than You Think initiative and served as editor in chief of the much-loved youth work magazine Coyote for many years, through which he encouraged practitioners to share about their experiences, educational learnings, trials, and tribulation, and more generally about their lives in education. Coyote changed with time but continues to be an important anchor for new and more experienced youth workers across Europe, wishing to exchange and explore youth work practice. It is one of his most important and lasting contributions to the field. Visit the Coyote magazine website, read some of the early articles he contributed and enjoy Spiffy Wisdom to connect to Mark’s sense of the field, its needs and concerns.
Mark was a pioneer among professional trainers and writers in the Council of Europe youth field and, as one of the first members of its Trainers Pool, contributed to youth worker and trainer recognition in Europe through groundbreaking processes including the Advanced Training of Trainers in Europe (ATTE), a first of its kind at introduction.
Mark’s competence, commitment, creativity, and infectious sense of humour marked countless careers and life paths. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of working with him in a team or of participating in one of the activities he developed. In all his work, Mark exuded and encouraged passion, wit, fun and the will to build togetherness.
“Mark encouraged, supported, and guided many young trainers into international youth work over the last three decades. They together have shaped the youth sector in Europe and beyond. Through his work, he made a unique contribution to a democratic, peaceful, and open Europe for all, shaped by, with, and for young people. His legacy will continue to inspire our work in the Council of Europe youth sector for many years to come.”, said Tobias Flessenkemper, Head of the Youth Department.
