10 key Competencies for Adolescents

All of the activities and approaches in the Adolescent Kit are designed to help adolescents to develop key competencies – knowledge, skills and attitudes that are essential for their well-being and healthy development. They include the abilities that adolescent girls and boys need to cope with crisis, build healthy relationships and engage positively with their communities.

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  Communication and expressionLearning new ways of communicating and expressing themselves can help adolescents engage positively with others, build relationships and gain self-awareness and confidence.
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  Identity and self-esteemAdolescents can gain a stronger sense of identity and self-esteem by learning more about themselves, recognising their strengths and abilities and understanding how they fit into groups and society.
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  Leadership and influence Empowering adolescents to understand that they can influence things that happen in their lives can motivate them to work for positive change with their families, friends and communities.
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  Problem-solving and managing conflict The ability to resolve conflicts and problems in a nonviolent way can help adolescents maintain positive relationships with others and manage disruptions within their families, among friends and in their communities.
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  Coping with stress and managing emotions Learning ways to manage their emotions and cope with stress can help adolescents to improve their well-being and to deal with difficult circumstances.
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  Cooperation and teamwork Practising cooperation and teamwork can help adolescents form healthy and respectful relationships with others and prepare them for active participation in their community.
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  Empathy and respect As adolescents develop empathy and respect, they become more able to build relationships with different types of people, respond positively to others and promote peace
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  Hope for the future and goal-setting Feeling hope for the future can decrease adolescents’ stress, increase their resilience and empower them to set goals and make positive changes in their lives.
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  Critical thinking and decision-making Learning how to think critically can help adolescents break down harmful stereotypes, understand the consequences of their actions, and make decisions that contribute to peace.
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  Creativity and innovation Encouraging adolescents to think creatively and find innovative solutions to problems can help them work with others toward shared goals and find ways to cope with difficulties.

Read more about the 10 key competencies in the Foundation Guide (p. 13).