A Global Initiative to Empower Lakhs of Teens To Conquer the Real World

Adolescence, a vital stage of growth and development, marks the period of transition from childhood to adulthood. It is characterized by rapid physiological changes and psychosocial maturation. Adolescence is also the stage when young people extend their relationships beyond parents and family; they are intensely influenced by their peers and the outside world in general.

As adolescents mature cognitively, their mental process becomes more analytical. They are now capable of abstract thinking, better articulation and of developing an independent thought process. These are truly the years of creativity, idealism, buoyancy and a spirit of adventure. But these are also the years of experimentation and risk-taking, of giving in to negative peer pressure, of taking uninformed decisions on crucial issues, especially those relating to their bodies and their sexuality. It is a turning point in one’s life, a period of increased potential and at the same time, one of greater vulnerability.

With growth comes responsibility

Some key issues and concerns observed among adolescents include those relating to forming a self-image, managing emotions, building relationships, strengthening social skills, and dealing with or resisting peer pressure. Adolescents at this stage are more prone and vulnerable to high-risk situations and may easily succumb to them.

Life skills are understood to be an efficacious tool for empowering the youth to act responsibly, take initiative and take control. It is based on the assumption that when young people can rise above emotional impasses arising from daily conflicts, entangled relationships and peer pressure, they are less likely to resort to antisocial or high-risk behaviors.

Life skills have been defined as “the abilities for adaptive and positive behavior that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life” (WHO). ‘Adaptive’ means that a person is flexible in their approach and can adjust to different circumstances. ‘Positive behavior’ implies a person is looking forward even in difficult situations. They can find a ray of hope and opportunities to find solutions.

Life skills include psychosocial competencies and interpersonal skills that help people make informed decisions, solve problems, think critically and creatively, communicate effectively, build healthy relationships, empathize with others, and cope with managing their lives healthily and productively.

ACT SMART is a flagship program run by the Global Smashed Online project in India. It is designed by Collingwood Learning in the UK and carried out in India through BharatCares. The initiative is presently running in more than 25 countries and has positively impacted over 1,000,000 students globally.

The program focuses on early intervention by teaching strategies and skills to cope with real-life pressures. Further, it is formatted based on the guidelines of the National Education Policy 2020.

The program and its features

ACT SMART is a 90-minute workshop consisting of interactive learning, watching informational movies, and engaging activities. The workshop is for students in the age group of 13-17 years of age. The program is part of a global effort to develop essential life skills and resilience in teenagers through effective education.

According to project representatives, there are three delivery modes for the programmes – virtual, semi-virtual, and physical.

“In the virtual mode, all classes are conducted through zoom or Facebook live. Whereas the semi-virtual classes vary between online and in-person. Physical classes are conducted by experts directly at schools that lack digital facilities or are present in remote areas.”

In India, this workshop has been hosted for more than 60,000 students in schools, NGOs, community centers and orphanages.