The involvement of peers in social, health and educational issues has many faces. It may vary from one-way education processes, where peers are used to pass on ready-made health promotion messages, to more participatory forms of engagement, whereby members of a peer community not only deliver, but also engage in educational sessions and develop and/or adapt rapid responses to health and social issues.

In this section, the following will be discussed:

• History of peer work and past experiences.
• Different methods and concepts of peer work.
• WHAT IS.....?/Concepts of peer involvement definitions and terminology
• Key values and principles of sound peer work.
• Is there one best method?  What distinguishes empty participation from meaningful involvement?